Telehealth Q&A

NPCWoods is text-based telemedicine. You text (480) 639-4722 describing your symptoms and upload a photo if needed. Chris Woods, a double board-certified Nurse Practitioner, personally reviews your case and sends a prescription to your local pharmacy, all by text message. No video call, no scheduling, no waiting room. Most visits are completed same day, often within a few hours. The entire visit costs $59 flat.

Async (asynchronous) telemedicine means you communicate with your healthcare provider by text message rather than a live video or phone call. You send your symptoms anytime, day or night, and your provider responds when they review your case, usually within hours. There are no appointments to schedule and no waiting rooms. It's faster, cheaper, and more convenient than traditional telehealth for straightforward conditions like UTIs, sinus infections, and strep throat.

Most visits are completed same day, often within a few hours. During business hours, responses are typically faster. Evening and weekend messages may take slightly longer but are still answered the same day in most cases. Prescriptions are sent directly to your pharmacy as soon as Chris completes the review.

Yes. Text-based telemedicine is HIPAA-compliant and evidence-based. For common acute conditions like UTIs, sinus infections, strep throat, and skin infections, a thorough text-based clinical history is sufficient for diagnosis and treatment according to IDSA (Infectious Diseases Society of America) and CDC guidelines. Studies show that symptom-based diagnosis for uncomplicated UTIs is accurate approximately 95% of the time without requiring physical examination or lab testing.

No. Every visit is personally reviewed by Chris Woods, a real, double board-certified Nurse Practitioner. There is no AI triage, no chatbot screening, and no algorithm making clinical decisions. When you text NPCWoods, a licensed human clinician reads your message, evaluates your symptoms, and makes the treatment decision. This is what sets NPCWoods apart from larger telehealth platforms that use AI-assisted intake.

At NPCWoods, every visit is $59 flat, no paperwork, no hidden fees, no copays, no surprise bills. That's the total cost for the provider visit. Medications are separate and filled at your local pharmacy, most generic antibiotics cost $4–$20 at retail pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart.

No. NPCWoods is a cash-pay practice. Every visit is $59 flat, no paperwork, no hidden fees. You pay $59 and that is the total cost for the provider visit. There are no copays, no deductibles, no surprise bills, and no membership fees.

Medication costs are separate from the $59 visit fee and depend on your pharmacy. Most generic antibiotics (amoxicillin, nitrofurantoin, azithromycin) cost $4–$20 at retail pharmacies like Walmart, Costco, CVS, or Walgreens. ED medications and specialty drugs may cost more. You can use discount programs like GoodRx to reduce prescription costs further. NPCWoods also partners with Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy for custom medications and direct-to-patient shipping.

Yes. If your symptoms are not improving or you have questions about your treatment, text NPCWoods back. Follow-up communication for the same visit is included in your $59 fee at no additional charge. If you develop a new, unrelated condition, that would be a separate $59 visit.

NPCWoods treats 18+ common conditions by text: UTIs, sinus infections, strep throat, ear infections, bronchitis, skin infections, pink eye, tooth infections and dental pain, stomach bug, cold sores, COVID and flu, erectile dysfunction, allergies, acid reflux/GERD, acne, yeast infections, ingrown toenails, and GLP-1 weight loss. All visits are $59 flat. View all conditions →

Yes. A licensed Nurse Practitioner can evaluate your symptoms through a text-based telehealth visit and prescribe antibiotics if clinically appropriate. At NPCWoods, you text your symptoms to Chris Woods, FNP-C, who reviews your case and sends a prescription directly to your preferred pharmacy. For common conditions like UTIs, sinus infections, and strep throat, symptom-based diagnosis is clinically validated and supported by IDSA and CDC guidelines.

Yes. UTIs are one of the most commonly treated conditions at NPCWoods. For uncomplicated UTIs with classic symptoms, burning urination, urgency, and frequency, text-based evaluation is clinically appropriate per IDSA guidelines. Chris will review your symptoms and, if appropriate, prescribe first-line antibiotics like nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) sent directly to your pharmacy. The visit is $59 and most patients get a prescription same day. Read the full UTI guide →

Yes. NPCWoods can prescribe antibiotics for dental infections and tooth abscesses to control the infection and reduce pain. Common prescriptions include amoxicillin or clindamycin. However, antibiotics are a bridge, not a cure, for dental infections. You will still need to see a dentist for definitive treatment. The visit is $59 and can get you antibiotics the same day while you arrange dental care. Read the tooth infection guide →

Yes. Sinus infections are one of the top conditions treated at NPCWoods. If symptoms last more than 10 days, or you experienced initial improvement followed by worsening (the "double worsening" pattern), antibiotics may be appropriate per IDSA and CDC adult outpatient guidance. Chris evaluates by text and prescribes amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, or doxycycline if clinically indicated, all for $59, no urgent care visit needed. Read the sinus infection guide →

Yes. Nurse Practitioners have prescriptive authority in all states where NPCWoods operates. Chris Woods, FNP-C, prescribes antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, anti-nausea medications, corticosteroids, and ED medications across all 11 licensed states. NPCWoods does not prescribe controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants).

Yes, NPCWoods treats children over 2 years old for most conditions. A parent or guardian texts on behalf of the child, describes symptoms, and provides any relevant photos. Chris will evaluate and prescribe age-appropriate medication sent to your preferred pharmacy. Children under 2 should be seen by a pediatrician in person.

Patient safety always comes first. If your symptoms suggest an emergency, chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, confusion, or high fever with stiff neck. Chris will let you know and recommend you go to an ER immediately. If NPCWoods cannot treat your condition, you will not be charged.

After Chris reviews your case and determines treatment is appropriate, your prescription is sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, or any local pharmacy you choose. You can also use NPCWoods' partner, Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy, for custom compounding and direct shipping. Most generic medications cost $4–$20 at retail pharmacies.

No. NPCWoods does not prescribe opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or any other controlled substances. This is a deliberate clinical policy focused on patient safety and responsible prescribing. NPCWoods prescribes antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, anti-nausea medications, corticosteroids, ED medications, and other non-controlled treatments.

Chris Woods is a double board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN, APRN, FNP-C) and the founder of NPCWoods Telemedicine. He has worked across urgent care, primary care, and telemedicine for over a decade. Chris personally reviews every patient case, there is no other provider, no call center, and no AI. His NPI number is 1285125468, verifiable at the CMS NPI Registry. He is licensed in 11 states and holds LegitScript certification. Learn more about Chris →

Yes. NPCWoods is a LegitScript-certified healthcare merchant, meaning it has been independently verified as a legitimate telemedicine practice. Chris Woods' NP license is active and verifiable in all 11 states, and his NPI number (1285125468) is searchable in the CMS National Provider Identifier Registry. The LegitScript certification seal is displayed on every page of the website.

Yes. NPCWoods is fully HIPAA compliant. All patient health information is protected and never shared without consent. Text-based communications are handled through secure channels, and NPCWoods follows all federal and state healthcare privacy regulations.

NPCWoods is licensed and actively serving patients in 11 states: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, and Utah.

NPCWoods differs from large telehealth platforms in key ways: (1) Same provider every time, you always see Chris Woods, not a random rotating provider. (2) Text-based, no video call required. (3) $59 flat with no membership fee, while Teladoc charges $75–95 and PlushCare charges $129 plus a monthly membership. (4) No AI or chatbot, every case is reviewed by a real clinician. (5) Personal relationship. Chris knows your history and follows up directly. See the full comparison →