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Interactive MD Allows Fla. Doctors To Make Virtual House Calls
BOCA RATON, Fla. --
According to the American Medical Association, up to 70 percent of doctor office visits and 40 percent of emergency room visits are unnecessary.
"This is an area where telemedicine and Web-based health care could make a huge difference in both cost savings and wasted time," said Ghen Sugimoto with Interactive MD.
Interactive MD is the latest player in the growing market of so-called "telehealth," in which doctors can diagnose, treat and monitor patients over the Internet or via telephone.
"It's very interesting to use the technology and see how you can help people because that's really what it's all about," said Dr. William Mazzei, a physician with Interactive MD.
Patients' calls and e-mails are sent to a service center, then routed to a doctor who can answer from anywhere at anytime.
"I've been on an airplane ready to take off, I've been on a mountain in Hawaii, so it's allowed me to practice medicine in different places," said Mazzei.
Lisa Colon, a mother of five young children, relies heavily on the service.
"I don't want to sit in the doctor's office for three hours just to have them say, 'Oh, it's a viral infection,'" Colon said.
Some insurance companies cover the cost of telehealth services. Out-of-pocket expense to patients who are not covered by insurance ranges from $35-$45 per consultation, along with a monthly fee of $5-$25 depending on how many people are participating in the service.
To contact Interactive MD call 1-888-866-7909 or click here:
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