CHARLOTTE — StarMed Healthcare and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will partner to provide telemedicine consultations to N.C. residents who have tested positive for COVID-19. Treatment options will also be provided at no cost to the patient. This treatment can decrease the risk of hospitalization and death by up to 90%.

The program is free and is open to the public statewide.

Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to register for a cost-free telemedicine by visiting https://starmed.care/nc/ or by calling 704-941-6000. Phone calls can be made seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If it is determined that the patient is eligible for treatment, StarMed can offer the COVID-19 antiviral pills at its Charlotte clinic, send a prescription to the patient’s desired pharmacy or mail-order the antiviral medication overnight to the patient. Other treatments may be offered if the patience does not qualify to receive the antiviral medication.

Neither proof of insurance nor a government-issued photo identification is required to receive service. For patients with insurance, StarMed will bill their health plan, but NCDHHS will pay for any additional balance. Patients without insurance will not be charged for services received. The antiviral pills are available free of cost to the patient.

“We’re pleased to partner with NCDHHS to provide this important service to anyone in North Carolina,” said Michael Estramonte, President & Founder of Starmount Healthcare Management. “Our goal is to serve our entire community, especially those who may not have access or means to the medical services they need. Now, patients can visit with a provider from the comfort of their home, be evaluated, and receive the important treatment they may need to fight COVID-19.”

The telehealth program will last from mid-December until funding runs out. Funds are projected to last until mid-March.

“More than 1 million people in North Carolina don’t have health insurance, which has made accessing care for COVID-19, as with other diseases, very challenging,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “This program provides a temporary bridge to care for many in rural and historically marginalized communities, but we still need long-term investments to close the coverage gap.”

StarMed has been a state leader in healthcare since the pandemic began and has administered more than 900,000 COVID-19 tests, 500,000 vaccinations, and 18,000 life-saving monoclonal antibody treatments. 64 percent of these services were provided in minority or underserved areas.

For more information, contact Cliff Mehrtens, Starmount Healthcare Communications Manager, at 704-605-3999 or by sending an email to [email protected].