As medical deductibles have soared under Obamacare, many companies are moving in with technology for low-cost medical services including prescription discounts. For example, there are apps where you can video chat with a doctor and get a prescription for $35 to $55. Some non-urgent medical problems this may be appropriate for could include: cold, flu, rash, bite, sports injury, minor infection, or just to ask if you should visit a doctor for this condition.
Smartphone app examples are Doctor-on-Demand, RingaDoc, or Live Doctor Visit Now, other online versions include MDiPass.com or HealthCareMagic.com. There are many competitors so look at some current reviews and pricing to determine which one may be the most beneficial for you and your family.
Some of these providers also offer discounted group rates on prescription drugs. Medical services delivered online or with smartphones are convenient. Instead of taking the morning off of work because your child has a sore throat, you can use an app to get a quick diagnosis and possibly get prescriptions sent to your local drug store. There are doctors that even make house calls like Medicast.com or TravelMD.com.
In addition, concierge doctor services have exploded over the last two years. Doctors fed up with the increasing insurance bureaucracy coming from Washington have chosen instead to change their medical practice to service fewer patients for a higher fee. Some doctors charge between $2,500 to $25,000 per year to be available for a limited number of patients, in addition to charging for visits and procedures. Many top doctors refuse to deal with insurance bureaucracies and this has accelerated over the last three years, you must pay upfront for examinations and treatment. But even with these higher costs for patients, they can still be cheaper than the insurance deductibles that have been increasing for nearly everyone.