How to Schedule and Join Your First Pennsylvania DOC Video Visit

Pennsylvania DOC offers both in-person and video visits. IVS is the system you'll use to schedule or join either type. For video visits, IVS sends you to Zoom to connect at your scheduled time. One detail that trips up first-timers: identity verification. IVS uses Keystone Login to confirm who you are, so getting that set up is a necessary step before you can schedule and join visits.

Before you try to schedule your first video visit, make sure your Keystone Login is set up and working for IVS. Keystone Login is how IVS verifies your identity. If you wait until the last minute to sort it out, you could end up delaying your visit.

When it's time to join, you need the video visit link. You can find it in two places: inside IVS under your upcoming visits (look for the "Video Call URL"), or in the automated confirmation email you received when the visit was scheduled. Not seeing a link where you expect it? Slow down and confirm you're checking the same account and inbox you used when scheduling. Most join problems start with an old email address, the wrong confirmation message, or the wrong IVS login.

If you're joining from a phone or tablet (Android or iPhone/iPad), install the Zoom Cloud Meetings app before your scheduled time. Tapping the Video Call URL from IVS or the confirmation email opens Zoom and starts the connection. Using that URL is the easiest route because the Meeting ID auto-fills for you. Zoom will still prompt you to enter your name or email before you can join, so don't be surprised by that extra step.

• ✓ Install the Zoom Cloud Meetings app before your visit time.
• ✓ Find your Video Call URL in IVS under upcoming visits, or open the automated confirmation email.
• ✓ Tap the URL and be ready to enter your name or email when Zoom prompts you.
• ✓ Join within the allowed window (up to 5 minutes early).

On a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer, you have two ways to join your PA DOC IVS video visit: use the Zoom Meeting app (download and install it), or join through your web browser. Click the Video Call URL from IVS or the automated confirmation email, and Zoom opens with the Meeting ID already filled in. You'll still need to enter your name or email to continue. Alternatively, you can open the Zoom app and manually type in the Meeting ID and password from the confirmation email. That's handy if the link isn't opening cleanly on your computer.

On visit day, timing matters. You can join up to 5 minutes before the scheduled start time, so plan to be ready close to the start rather than trying to get in far in advance. When you use the Video Call URL from IVS or the automated confirmation email, Zoom loads with the Meeting ID already filled in. You'll still need to enter your name or email when prompted before you can join.

Having trouble connecting? Start with the basics: make sure you're using the correct Video Call URL from IVS under upcoming visits or from the automated confirmation email. The Meeting ID should auto-populate when you use the URL, but you'll still need to enter your name or email to join. On mobile, installing the Zoom Cloud Meetings app ahead of time prevents last-minute headaches. On a computer, you have flexibility. If the Zoom app isn't cooperating, try joining through your web browser (or go the other direction and use the app instead).

1. Confirm you have the right join link. Use the “Video Call URL” under upcoming visits in IVS, or the URL in the automated confirmation email.
2. Use the best join method for your device. On mobile, make sure the Zoom Cloud Meetings app is installed. On Windows/Mac/Linux, try the Zoom app or switch to the web browser option.
3. Complete the Zoom prompts. If you used the URL, the Meeting ID should auto-fill, but Zoom will still ask for your name or email before it lets you join.