Rural Nevada residents facing long waits for medical appointments now have another option for routine healthcare through Tangerine Health Professionals, a telehealth service that provides quick virtual care for common medical concerns.
Founded by nurse practitioner Anne Horsley, Tangerine Health was created to help address healthcare access challenges in rural communities by providing timely virtual appointments for medical issues that often do not require an in-person visit.
“We wanted to break down the barriers. It’s too hard,” Horsley said, describing the difficulties many people face when seeking medical care.
Horsley has lived in Ely, Elko, and Reno, giving her firsthand experience with the healthcare challenges often faced by small Nevada communities. She said those experiences inspired the creation of Tangerine Health and its focus on helping patients access care for routine medical concerns more quickly.
“We wanted to make an easier way, and people don't have to wait months for this simple stuff,” Horsley said. “We're trying to help solve those problems — the easy problems that you just can't get taken care of in these rural areas.”
Appointments are conducted through scheduled video visits that can be booked online. Patients can choose from available appointment times and licensed providers, including some evening and weekend availability. The service is available to patients ages 2 through 64 and costs a flat fee of $65 per visit.
Tangerine Health operates on a cash-pay model and does not bill insurance directly, meaning it cannot accept Medicare or Medicaid patients. However, patients may use health savings account cards, and prescriptions can still be filled through their regular pharmacy benefits.
The service focuses on treating low-acuity medical conditions, including rashes, pink eye, urinary tract infections, minor illnesses, allergies, prescription refills, and other routine health concerns. It is not intended to replace emergency care, urgent care facilities, or a primary care provider.
Patient privacy and security are maintained through a HIPAA-compliant electronic medical records system and a secure patient portal. Video appointments, medical records, and communications are stored within the protected portal, and sensitive information is not sent through email.
As healthcare providers across Nevada continue to face staffing shortages and long appointment wait times, Tangerine Health hopes to provide another option for patients seeking care for routine medical concerns. By focusing on convenient, lower-cost virtual visits, the company aims to help fill gaps in healthcare access in rural communities throughout the West.
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