Kidney care starts here!

Call: 518-324-4000

Patient Portal
HIPAA-Secure Video Visits

TeleKidney
Your nephrologist, from anywhere.

One click. No app downloads. No Zoom. Visit your kidney specialist from your phone, tablet, or computer — securely, simply, on your schedule.

HIPAA Compliant Powered by athenahealth No Account Required
When To Use TeleKidney

Three ways virtual care works for you

Routine Follow-Up

Skip the drive. Review lab results, adjust medications, and check in on your kidney care from home — same expert nephrology, virtual setting.

Second Opinion

Get a fresh perspective on a diagnosis or treatment plan from our board-certified nephrologists — no travel required.

Urgent Kidney Issue

For non-emergency kidney concerns that need attention quickly, call our office and ask about a same-week TeleKidney visit.

What You'll Need

Use any device you already have

TeleKidney works on your existing devices. No special software, no app store downloads.

Smartphone

iPhone or Android — works in your mobile browser.

Tablet

iPad or Android tablet — best for bigger, clearer video.

Laptop or Desktop

Mac or PC with a webcam — best for follow-up visits with notes.

Working camera & microphone Most modern devices have these built-in. You'll grant browser access during setup.
An up-to-date web browser Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox — recent versions only.
Reliable internet connection WiFi or cellular data. Sit close to your router for the smoothest experience.
A private, quiet space Find a place where you can speak freely with your provider. Good lighting helps too.
How It Works

From scheduling to "see you next time" in 5 steps

1

Schedule

Call our office or request through the Patient Portal — ask for a TeleKidney visit.

2

Get Your Link

A unique secure link arrives via email and text. It's also in your Patient Portal.

3

Test Your Setup

(Optional) Run the device check ahead of time to confirm your camera and microphone work.

4

Click & Wait

5–10 minutes before your visit, click the link. Enter your name, give camera access, you're in.

5

Your Visit

Your nephrologist joins and the visit starts. When you're done, click Leave. That's it.

Before your TeleKidney visit

  • Find a private, well-lit spot — face a window or lamp, not behind one
  • Have your medication list (or the bottles) within reach
  • Have a recent blood pressure reading if possible
  • Close other browser tabs and apps to free up bandwidth
  • Plug in your device, or make sure it's well charged
  • Move close to your WiFi router or have a strong cellular signal
  • Have any questions written down ahead of time
  • Click your link 5–10 minutes before the appointment time
Need Help?

Common Questions

I can't find my visit link.
Check your email inbox and your text messages (look for the day-of reminder). If you have a Patient Portal account, the link is also there. Still can't find it? Call our office at (518) 324-4000 and we'll resend it.
Do I need to download an app?
No. TeleKidney runs entirely in your web browser. There's nothing to install. Just click the link and you'll be guided through the setup.
My camera or microphone isn't working.
When you first click the link, your browser will ask permission to use the camera and microphone — click Allow. If you accidentally clicked Block, look for a small camera icon in your browser's address bar and re-enable it, then refresh the page. You can also test your setup ahead of time at athena's device check page.
I hear an echo or my video is freezing.
Echo is usually caused by joining from two devices at once (e.g., laptop and phone) — pick one and close the other. Freezing or pixelation is usually a weak internet signal. Try moving closer to your router, closing other tabs, or pausing any downloads.
Can a family member join the visit with me?
Yes — up to four people can join a TeleKidney visit. Just share your link with them. They'll enter their name and indicate their relationship to you when they arrive.
Will my insurance cover a TeleKidney visit?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, now cover telehealth visits — but coverage varies. Our front desk team can verify your benefits when you schedule. Call (518) 324-4000 with any questions.
What if I need a physical exam or labs?
TeleKidney works best for follow-ups, medication review, and consultation. If your nephrologist decides you need a hands-on exam, blood work, or imaging, we'll arrange that as a separate in-office visit.
Is the visit private and secure?
Yes. TeleKidney is powered by athenahealth's HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform — the same secure infrastructure used by thousands of medical practices nationwide. Visits are end-to-end encrypted and never recorded without your consent.

Ready to try TeleKidney?

Schedule a virtual visit with one of our board-certified nephrologists, or sign in to your Patient Portal to join an upcoming appointment.

Schedule a Visit Patient Portal

NNH HIPAA Secure TeleKidney Care

NNH has been challenged to meet the "kidney-care" needs of the North Country. While we all realize how beautiful this area is it's not easy to recruit physicians and furthermore, there is a shortage of kidney specialists nationwide. At the same time there has been rapid growth in the field of Telemedicine, with new models of providing quality care to patients in rural areas. Let's face it, the doctor can not be in two places at once...or can she? We have contracted with ZOOM.US to provide HIPAA secure video conferencing (the same program used by Johns Hopkins Medical and the National Institutes of Health).

SECOND OPINION

Get a fresh perspective on your kidney health, diagnosis and treatment plan from our Board Certified Nephrologists.

VIRTUAL VISIT

Meet with your Kidney Specialist conveniently from your home without traveling to the office for routine follow up.

URGENT KIDNEY CARE

For non-life threatening kidney issues, contact our office for an Urgent Tele-Kidney visit.

Get Started...

START SCHEDULED VISIT

Be sure you're in a private setting with a computer, tablet or smart phone that has a web-cam and microphone.

JOIN VISIT

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Main Office

Northern Nephrology & Hypertension
52 Tom Miller Road
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: (518) 324-4000
Fax: (518) 324-4001

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM

© 2026 Craig G. Hurwitz, MD — Northern Nephrology & Hypertension