Patient teleconsults become more common

In recent times, FierceHealthIT readers have learned about a wide range of telemedicine options that have been emerging, ranging from remote monitoring of patients in their homes to telemedical consults between remote specialists and doctors practicing emergency medicine.

Still another form of emerging telemedical consult is taking shape directly between doctors and patients. Players include American Well, which allows patients to talk with doctors through online video, online chat or phone. Physicians can review patients' personal health records using Microsoft's HealthVault and even prescribe meds. Right now it's available to patients through the Hawaii's BlueCross BlueShield for $10, for a 10 minute consultation. Non members get the same option for $45.

Other services allowing physicians to communicate directly with a patient for a free include SwiftMD, available in New York and New Jersey, and TelaDoc, based in Dallas and available nationwide. Another option is LivePerson, which offers web chat and telephone access to a wide variety of professionals, including doctors, for a flat fee per minute.

To learn more about these services:
- read this iHealthBeat piece

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Study: Telemedicine offers clinical, cost benefits for chronic disease care

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