TelaDoc

TelaDoc, a network of licensed, board certified primary care, emergency and internal medicine physicians who provide cross coverage services on demand, is transforming healthcare delivery with improved consumer access to quality medical care at significantly lower costs.

TelaDoc physicians have access to a member’s electronic health record and can diagnose and treat minor non-emergency medical problems via the telephone—24 hours a day, 365 days a year. TelaDoc improves existing cross coverage by providing access to care for patients whose primary care physician (PCP) is not immediately available. All TelaDoc physicians are carefully credentialed and covered by medical malpractice insurance provided by the TelaDoc PA. The TelaDoc service ensures patients that a physician will call for a consultation within three hours, and on average, patients are contacted by a physician in less than 30 minutes. TelaDoc does not replace the relationship with the PCP. TelaDoc resolves routine medical issues at a fraction of the cost of a normal visit to the urgent care facility, emergency room or the doctor’s office, with a flat fee that is typically +/- $35.00 without any hidden expenses. All consults end with a recommendation to visit and share information with the PCP.

TelaDoc has been reviewed by leading healthcare think tanks including: National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), CATO Institute, Pacific Research Institute, Galen, Center for Health Transformation, Forrester/California Healthcare Foundation, Mercer Health and Benefits, LLC.

Results

• 97% of patients report that they are satisfied with the services.
• TelaDoc’s increased access to care benefits:
  • Employees— who are not forced to leave work in order to consult with physicians. With telehealth consultations they get timely treatment – resulting in reduced workforce absenteeism, decreased probability of spreading infections to other employees, and improved access for patients with pre-existing conditions who might forego receiving proper care for minor issues.
  • Rural residents— dealing with economic constraints, cultural and social differences, educational shortcomings, and the sheer isolation of living in remote rural areas can rely upon a physician telephone consult program to more rapidly deliver quality medical services at a reasonable cost. This enhances patient safety, eliminating the drive time to the nearest physician’s office.
  • Travelers – find these consumer-friendly services to be extremely convenient. Telephones are universally available at any time and from anywhere, allowing patients to access care at home, in a hotel, or in the office. People who forget to pack their medications can also take advantage of short-term prescription refills.
  • Culturally Appropriate Care – Programs must make a multi-lingual helpline available 24 hours a day. This will help the most culturally isolated members of our workforce obtain timely care.

***Submitted by Fritz Johnson, Business Development, TelaDoc Medical Services, fjohnson@teladoc.com

Published: January 26, 2009