Telemedicine or telehealth is defined, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, as the use of telecommunication avenues and technologies like mobile and web platforms to diagnose, treat, and support patients remotely. From live video streaming to chatbots and 24/7 AI capability, telehealth enables patients to interact with healthcare professionals like never before. And the best part: they can enjoy all these conveniences and help right from the comfort of their homes.
In recent years, telemedicine has a pitched a tent in the mobile app segment, and we now have newer, more robust, and more agile telehealth apps available across the board. If implemented correctly, the following 5 top-notch telemedicine apps have the potential to revolutionize healthcare as a whole and take diagnosis, treatment and patient care to the next level. After all, telemedicine apps, according to Digital Authority Partners, are one of the seven cardiovascular health tech doctors should know about in 2019 and beyond.
(1) Lemonaid
Available as an iOS or Android app, Lemonaid has proven its worth as one of the most robust, versatile, and responsive telehealth platforms. The mobile app is specially designed to offer an array of healthcare assistance, including lab testing, appointment scheduling, and remote diagnosis. It’s geared towards sinus, birth control, cholesterol, acid reflux, and a plethora of addictions management. Using the platform, patients can book an online appointment with the doctor for same-day consultation and assistance. Lemonaid can also wire prescriptions to local drugs stores and pharmacies it has a partnership with.
As such, the patient can get diagnosed online, have the prescription delivered directly to the local pharmacy, and pick up their medication just like that. No fuss, no muss. Considering that more than 12 million Americans reside in remote areas, Lemonaid can come in handy. However, the mobile app collaborates with a team of partner healthcare professionals in a growing selection of states, namely AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MO, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, and WA.
(2) Doctor On Demand
Given that 13.2 percent of adult Americans are currently without healthcare coverage, Doctor On Demand is a godsent telemedicine app. The platform allows patients to connect one-on-one with a real healthcare professional (mostly a doctor) using their mobile devices, tablets or PC 24/7. It’s available to everyone, regardless of their coverage status. And an online doctor visit or consultation starts from just $40.
(3) Find Care Now by Walgreens
The health & pharmacy giant, Walgreens, is always at the forefront of innovation and providing their customers with the best experiences. The good news is that the company has recently launched Find Care Now, a telehealth mobile app. According to an interview with Giovanni Monti, head of innovation at Walgreens, Find Care Now will connect millions of their customers to Walgreens in-instore healthcare services and to a live doctor from a community of 17+ participating regional healthcare providers. This nifty app takes the guesswork out of seeking medical consultation by displaying the cost of each visit up front.
(4) Amwell
Amwell is hands down the best telemedicine app on the market and with good reason. Its virtual urgent-care service is available around the clock, and you’ll be attended to by live board-certified healthcare professionals with 15+ years of experience in the field. What sets this app apart is the $59 cost tag can be reduced significantly if you have insurance.
(5) Babylon Health
Babylon Health is an AI-powered telemedicine app. It offers medical consultation through machine learning, helping each patient find and connect to the right healthcare specialist and services. As you might expect, the app offers face-to-face live doctor appointments which are available immediately 24/7. The platform combines the beauty of chatbots, deep learning, and digital healthcare services to deliver a telemedicine experience that’s noteworthy.