Hawaii Begins Online Doctor Visits
The state of Hawaii is testing a new system that could eliminate the hassle of having to wait to see the doctor by supplying patients with access to professional care via the Web.
Patients with common illnesses could have online access to their physician as soon as Thursday, when the nation’s first large-scale program of its kind is expected to launch.
The service, launched by Hawaii Medical Service Association under a licensing agreement with Boston-based American Well, allows patients to access professional physicians after registering their user ID and account information on the HMSA Web site.
The Web site indicates that the service will be available to both insured and non-HMSA members for a fee.
Once connected, HMSA’s Online Care service allows patients to speak directly with their physicians using Web-based videoconferencing, secure chat, or telephone.
Online care is being touted as a “No hassle; no appointment required” service that allows doctors to review patient information, discuss symptoms and even prescribe medication.
"This is changing the face of how medicine is delivered in a very positive, safe and efficient way," said Dr. Patricia Avila, medical director of HMSA’s Online Care.
Patients can also opt to forward notes from the conversation with the online physician to their primary care doctors and keep an online record for personal reference.
“This service is especially valuable when you need an immediate answer to a pressing concern, are too busy to go to the doctor’s office, are worried and want peace of mind, are uninsured or underinsured, or live in a rural area, to name a few,” HMSA’s Web site reads.
"In some cases you have patients that have trouble actually getting out of their home because chronic patients who have mobility issues,” said Roy Schoenberg, MD, with American Well Systems.
“I think in all of these circumstances, the fact that the health care is accessible right at home immediately, is going to transform the way people are requiring."
Dr. Dale Vincent, director of telemedicine at the University of Hawaii medical school said he expects the program to expand from being computer to computer to mobile phone to mobile phone “in the very near future.”
The rest of the nation’s healthcare community will be watching Hawaii during the initial stages of the new service to see how effective, efficient and accurate it is.
So far, about 60 doctors have been trained and more than 100 have signed up.
The online service is not intended to replace the need for traditional personal doctor visits, said Dr. Avila.
"This is to enhance the accessibly in those times when they need answers very, very quickly and need access to care."
A 10-minute visit, which can be extended for a fee, will cost $10 for HMSA members and $45 for nonmembers. Payments are made using a credit card.
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