MyHealthGuide Source: Stacy Johnson, MoneyTalkNews, 9/12/2010, MTN Article

Referred by Drew Ben-Aharon, MD Live Care, 1/19/2011

Checkups over a computer are becoming more popular especially if you’re sick of wasting time and money in a waiting room.

• In Maryland, an 87-year-old woman wakes up each morning and takes her blood pressure in her apartment by slipping her arm through a collar hooked up to a computer — which sends the results straight to her doctor.

• In Utah, a family therapist meets online with a mother who’s children are acting out and offers counseling.

• In Hawaii, a 59-year-old nurse with an infected cut on her arm sits at her computer to chat with a doctor and get a prescription for antibiotics.

Survey findings

A poll by the consumer site Angie’s List showed:

• 87% of us would love the convenience — and the savings — of using online technology to consult with our doctors.

• But only 25% have that access now.

• 6% prefer seeing their doctors in person.

The cost of online visits varies by doctor — at the high end, they could be the same price as an office visit. But more often, they’re significantly less: commonly from $10 — $35 for a brief consultation.

“Patients like these services because they are convenient, cost less and save time while still getting the patient closer to better health,” says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. “We’ve heard from Angie’s List members whose doctor’s offices uploaded test results on the facility’s website. Patients can then log in and read their doctor’s notes in detail. It’s a huge help for patients to be able to go back and reread details of the appointment instead of having to try to remember everything that was discussed at the time.”

GE Healthcare and Intel Team for Home Monitoring

The boldest vision of tomorrow’s healthcare may come from a new joint venture between computer processor company Intel and GE Healthcare, which envisions homes wired with monitors and infrared devices that can detect medical emergencies, as well as regular online checkups. The two companies even drew a picture of how it would work.

“We think this joint venture will offer great potential to address these challenges by improving the quality of life for millions while lowering healthcare costs through new technology,” says Jeff Immelt, GE’s CEO.

For now, your best bet is to ask your doctor if online consultations are offered now or might be in the near future — smart doctors will notice if their patients are clamoring for this and will look into it. Also check with your insurance company, because even if you have a tech-savvy doctor, your health insurance might not cover the cost of the visit.

While online consultations are still rare, online prescription refills are much more common.

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