Telemedicine Platforms
For practices who are interested in setting their telemedicine services, the first step is finding the most suitable telemedicine platform.
The US Telemedix - Apex Business Analytics team has been testing different telemedicine platforms appropriate for small practices. We would like to share some of our findings for your reference.*
Platforms That We Tested
We tested six platforms and noted what they had in common:
- Permission is needed to access audio and video with options of having audio and video testing first before actual call or videoconference.
- Scheduler gives the link to the patient.
- Presence of virtual waiting rooms
- Users can mute their audio or turn off their video. They can also send a message via chat room or privately
Platform
Pros
Cons
Very user friendly because the patient is instantly directed to the portal upon clicking the link
Screen Share, file transfer and annotations are not available in the free trial version.
Scheduler needs to register the new patient before sharing the link to the patient.
With security measures before the start of the session because the patient will be asked to enter his date of birth and access code before entering the portal
Only the clinician or the admin has access to start or end the conference.
Audio and Video Testing may take some time because of titration while running a pre-test.
Screen Share, file transfer and annotations are not available in the free trial version.
If given permission by the clinician, the patient can share screen or annotate in the whiteboard
Only the clinician or the admin can give permission to screen sharing and whiteboard annotation
It takes some time for the user to download the application in his phone or mobile device before entering the portal
User can share screen or annotate in the whiteboard but only the admin can erase annotations
Users can choose virtual background and can also share, download and open file in folder
Admin can lock the session
If the meeting does launch automatically from the link or the browser, the user will be asked to download the application in his phone or mobile device before entering the portal. This will be a disadvantage to those who are technologically challenged.
Both provider and patient can share files via desktop app
There is an option not to automatically accept calls
Screen sharing is available with annotation
Chat is available even outside conference calls
It has its own calendar so patient can set their preferred schedule
Application takes time to download both on desktop and mobile
Downloading on the desktop is tricky due to browser settings
Mobile version is available for patients only
Lock meeting is an option
Meeting can be recorded
Outlook can be integrated to show meeting schedule
It requires high internet connection to prevent lagging
Provider and patient education required regarding use of app
Pdf format is not supported in sharing files
The 9 Popular Platforms Surveyed
We surveyed nine platforms but were unable to get trials for three outside of the six above.
PLATFORMS
PRICING & CONTRACT
UNIQUE FEATURES
DOWNSIDES
- $50/ user/month
- No contract
- Informed consent via File Transfer
- With meeting history
- With usage analytics
- Has an “alert’ to schedule next session
- Premium features include Provider and Patient Queuing, API Integration and Medical Cart Software
Temporarily closed to new sign-ups
$150/ provider/ month and up
- Automated Email and or Text notifications
- With Insurance Verification
1-2 weeks delay in the setup process
$19.99 /license/ month Minimum of 10 = $199.99 Month
- Dashboard scheduler is in sync w/ Google or Outlook or Calendly
- Group calls can accommodate up to 300 participants
- Two options to make a meeting private: require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests
- Screensharing can be “Host only”
Requires app download
Minimum of 10 for initial purchase
$800/ year + Setup fee w/ 1000 minutes regardless of user count.
Free for AASM Accredited Centers. AASM Facility and Individual Members are charged less.
- Require patient registration
- No group calls
- Automated Email and or Text notifications
- Premium Features include Integrated Sleep Diaries, Access Patient Health Information, Secure File Sharing and Secure Messaging
Screen Share, file transfer and annotations are not available in the free trial version.
- Free version
- $35 for Professional Package
- $50 for Clinic account per Provider
- Can be paid annually to get a discount
- No contract
- Can embed Cogsworth, Timetap, and Calendly into the waiting room
- Group calls can accommodate up to 10 participants
- With meeting history
- With usage analytics
No file transfer in the free version
- $420 /user/year
- At least 5 users to start with
- Payment is per year
- Dashboard Scheduler is embedded in Outlook, Google
- Group calls can accommodate up to 200 participants
- With meeting history
It takes some time for the user to download the application in his phone or mobile device before entering the portal
- Basic package is $49/month
- Enterprise Package price depends on customer needs
- Require patient registration
- Patient may put reason for visit and upload photo upon registering and provider can view it prior to video conference
- Host has option to screen people who will join the conference
- Group calls can accommodate up to 32 participants
- Telemedicine Equipment via Stethoscope
- With Insurance Verification and Claims Submission for Enterprise Package
- With Pharmacy for Enterprise Package
Application takes time to download both on desktop and mobile. Downloading on the desktop is tricky due to browser settings
Previous package:
- Starter $13.50-$14.95/mo
- Plus $17.95/mo
- Business $26.95/mo
- Enterprise
- Lock meeting is an option
- Meeting can be recorded
- Outlook can be integrated to show meeting schedule
Requires high internet connection to prevent lagging
Provider and patient education required regarding use of app
Pdf format is not supported in sharing files.
- $150/month
- $49/month for the admin
- One time start out fee $650
- $100/doctor
- Contract is 12 months
- EHR integration capabilities (for practices and urgent care centers)
- Require patient registration
- No group calls
- With Intake Form
- With meeting history
No free trial
We have been seamlessly integrating Telemedicine platforms with virtual services since 2017. This results in the lowest cost services with the highest levels of availability and accessibility for patients. For questions, please email us at sales@ustelemedix.com or call us at (972) 9054545.
*We received no remuneration from any entity related to these platforms and used their publicly available free or trial versions. Information here were based on their responses or on publicly available information. We cannot guarantee the most current information as each platform may change their features and pricing. Please contact these platforms directly for clarification on features, pricing or availability.