Your next doctor’s visit could be through your smartphone.
In a world where convenience is king, telemedicine offers a stay-at-home experience for basic medical care. The service gives patients a chance to discuss their symptoms via video chat or email with a board-certified doctor for less money than a clinic visit.
Demand for the service is growing quickly. According to the American Telemedicine Association, more than 15 million Americans received some kind of remote medical care in 2015—a 50 percent increase from 2013. The trade group expects the number to jump another 30 percent in 2016.
Teladoc—the nation’s oldest (2002) and largest telemedicine provider—will “see” an estimated 940,000 patient visits this year. It’s easy to understand the appeal: no travel, no traffic, and little wait time. The whole experience takes about 30 minutes, according to Dr. Henry DePhillips, chief medical officer for Teladoc.
“People love the convenience, the technology, and they love the fact that the care comes to them, instead of them having to go find care,” DePhillips said.
Teladoc was originally available only to people who worked for a company that provided the benefit. In the last few years, however, major insurers are getting on board, and more are expected to follow suit, thanks to new state parity laws that require insurers to reimburse doctors who work remotely.
