Online doctor visits help hospital chain see patients at home

Community Health Systems Inc. figures its patients don't always want to go to one of its almost 200 hospitals when they're feeling ill. The hospital system has struck a deal with American Well Corp. to offer online doctor visits for patients with colds or other minor ailments. The agreement is the latest piece of Community Health's strategy to add more ways for its customers to see a physician, in addition to urgent-care clinics and doctors' offices. "We've been seeing that shift, as everyone has, from inpatient care to other points of care," said Lynn Simon, Community Health's president of clinical services and chief quality officer. "People are really moving towards convenience and easy access."