Express Care offers on-demand video medical visits to eligible patients, via MyChart, for a limited list of conditions.

At these virtual visits, a doctor or nurse practitioner addresses a single new condition that you've had for less than two weeks, with symptoms that aren't serious enough to require an emergency room visit. Express Care visits are available Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Express Care is not set up to serve patients who need help with multiple medical issues, symptoms that have lasted several weeks, or managing a chronic disease.

Who is eligible for an Express Care video visit?

Express Care visits are available to UCSF patients with a qualifying medical concern who 1) live in California, 2) have a MyChart account* and 3) have been seen in the last three years by a primary care provider at one of these clinics:

  • Primary Care at Laurel Village
  • Family Medicine Center at Lakeshore
  • Pediatric Primary Care at Laurel Village
  • General Internal Medicine (Post Street and Sutter Street)
  • Primary Care at Bayfront Medical Building
  • Primary Care at China Basin (Berry and Waterfront)
  • Center for Geriatric Care
  • Women's Health Primary Care

*If you don't have a MyChart account, visit our MyChart FAQ to find out how to create one.

What kinds of medical issues qualify for Express Care?

Express Care can help with a single new but not life-threatening illness, condition or symptom as well as certain other non-emergency medical needs, limited to:

  • COVID-19
  • Cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Skin rash
  • Bug bites
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea without severe abdominal pain
  • Sinus pain
  • Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  • Screening for asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Travel wellness care (such as travel vaccines and prophylactic medications)

What kinds of medical issues do not qualify for Express Care?

These conditions are not handled by Express Care, and some may require a trip to the emergency room. If you have multiple health concerns – or one you've been dealing with for a long time – we recommend scheduling an appointment with your care team.

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vaginal discharge or bleeding
  • Ear pain
  • Migraines and other headaches
  • Controlled substance refills
  • Management of a chronic condition (such as high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease)

How do I request an Express Care video visit?

In the "Find Care" section on the MyChart main menu, choose "See a provider online now." After answering a few questions, you'll be placed in a queue. (If too many patients are already waiting, Express Care might not be available.)

Once you join the queue, MyChart will notify you via email, text and/or a MyChart mobile app push notification when a provider is ready to see you. You don't need to join the video visit or stay in MyChart to receive a notification while you wait, but you do have to remain available until the provider can see you.

If the reason for your visit is a health condition that is not eligible for Express Care or requires an in-person appointment, you'll be advised to schedule an office visit.

Express Care visits are billed as a standard video visit.

Video visit guide: Need help setting up your Express Care visit? This user-friendly guide has videos with step-by-step visuals and spoken instructions for your phone, tablet, or PC or Mac computer, as well as a phone number for MyChart Customer Service, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.