Manage your health by phone or video (community virtual care)

Manage your health from home if you have a long-term condition, are older or frail, immune-compromised, or caring for someone who is.

When this service can help

This service may help if you:

  • Want help managing your health between visits with your doctor or nurse
  • Want to stay at home safely and avoid going to hospital if possible
  • Feel unsure about what your symptoms mean or when to get more help
  • Are feeling more tired, more short of breath, or less able to do daily tasks
  • Are recovering from a mild illness (like flu or COVID-19) and want guidance at home
  • Are living with a serious illness and want support to live as well as you can at home
  • Are a family caregiver and need support for stress, questions, or planning
This service is not a replacement for hospitalization or physician visits.

For life threatening or significant symptoms please seek medical attention.

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible if you are 19 or older, and have:

  • COPD (chronic lung disease)
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Heart failure
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Mild to moderate:
    • Flu
    • COVID-19
    • Heat-related illness
    • Breathing problems from wildfire smoke
  • Or if you are living with a progressive or palliative illness, or are a family caregiver in need of support

How to begin

Have the following details and documents ready for yourself or the person you’re calling for:

  • A valid BC Services Card
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Home address

Call the Community Access Line for one-on-one support. 

South Island: 250-388-2273 / 1-888-533-2273  Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Centre Island: 250-739-5749 / 1-877-734-4101  Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
North Island: 250-331-8570 / 1-866-928-4988
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

What to expect

If you qualify for services, you may receive some of the following support.

You may be offered a 4–12 week program, depending on your condition. The team can help you:

  • Learn about your condition
  • Check your symptoms and understand what is “normal” for you
  • Take your medications safely
  • Make small, daily changes that support your health

 

If you have mild to moderate flu, COVID-19, heat illness, or breathing trouble from smoke, you may:

  • Borrow simple equipment (for example, to check your oxygen or blood pressure)
  • Get regular phone calls to check how you’re doing
  • Receive clear steps on what to do if you get worse
  • Support when you have a serious illness.

If you have a serious illness and want to stay at home as long as possible, you may:
 

  • Have regular phone or video visits (often every two weeks)
  • Talk about your goals, worries, and symptoms
  • Use a simple workbook to think about what matters most to you
  • Get help planning for future care and services
     

If you care for a family member or friend, you may:

  • Talk one-on-one about stress and coping
  • Join group sessions with other caregivers
  • Learn practical skills to support both your loved one and yourself.

Costs and fees

The equipment and tools you need for Community Virtual Care are loaned to you for free. If there are any other costs, your care team will explain them before you start.

Patient resources

Community Virtual Care FAQs

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Diabetes
Chronic Kidney Disease
Hypertension