TelaDoc to Provide Advanced Patient Information Sharing and Consumer “House Calls” Using the Microsoft HealthVault Platform

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumers will have enhanced connectivity to medical information as well as unprecedented telephonic access to physicians as a result of the applications announced today between TelaDoc Medical Services (www.teladoc.com), a comprehensive service that utilizes telehealth tools and physician or patient-selected cross coverage and Microsoft HealthVault, a free Web-based platform that enables individuals to collect, store, and share health information with hospitals and physicians. As a result of this union of healthcare technologies, consumers can also search medical topics related to TelaDoc through Microsoft’s search sites including Live Search Health, become TelaDoc members and connect to a physician within minutes—and then share that medical visit with their other care providers.

“This relationship employs enhanced security and privacy measures in ways that improve healthcare access, convenience and efficiency at significantly lower costs,” says Michael Gorton, chief executive officer of TelaDoc. “Consumers should think of this as the house call of the future with physicians available 24/7/365. This platform truly epitomizes healthcare convenience and optimizes the role of technology in expanding access to quality care at a lower cost.”

According to David Cerino, general manager, Microsoft Health Solutions Group, “This relationship takes TelaDoc’s cost-efficient healthcare access to the next level. We’re pleased to support TelaDoc’s platform and allow physicians to coordinate care delivery and advance the medical home model with more sustained, personalized, and better synchronized relationships between patients and physicians. TelaDoc exemplifies the role of health information and technology to facilitate evidence-based integrated care and quality improvement.”

This relationship provides the connection for bi-directional sharing of patient information among TelaDoc members, their physicians and other healthcare stakeholders. With patient permission, TelaDoc physicians will be able to add the telephonic encounter information to the patient’s personal health information stored in HealthVault, providing a continuous electronic channel for the patient’s medical home.

Through Live Search Health, consumers gain a new, cost-effective route to access primary care physicians supported by a free consumer Personal Health Record (PHR) with global electronic information sharing via Microsoft® HealthVault™. When consumers search the Web for a particular health condition, not only will they find pertinent articles but they can also receive direct consultation from a state-licensed, board-certified physician.

This modern approach eliminates many problems plaguing U.S. healthcare by giving consumers:

• Timely, convenient access to affordable care
• More control and choice during the process of finding immediate care
• A viable, less expensive option for treatment that obviates the need for visiting urgent care centers or hospital emergency rooms
• Ability to electronically share their health information and physician consults with relevant parties for better coordination of care

“People living in rural areas where there is a scarcity of physicians will find this service particularly valuable since it eliminates the need to travel long distances to access care,” adds Gorton. “Additionally, the TelaDoc and Microsoft HealthVault application will improve overall productivity and reduce absenteeism because fast, efficient treatment leads to quicker recovery times and cuts down on time off from work to go to the doctor. Moreover, this fingertip gateway allows consumers access to care and consultation while traveling over the weekend, in the evenings, or while on business or vacation.”

With TelaDoc, consumers will typically reach a physician within an hour, and they are guaranteed to reach a physician within three hours or the physician consult is free.

“HealthVault is the infrastructure that supports TelaDoc’s participation in the medical home,” says Gorton. “As part of our emphasis on comprehensive, personalized care, coordination among providers, and measures to enhance access, quality and affordability of care, this innovative service puts patients in further control of their health.”

About TelaDoc

TelaDoc Medical Services is a Texas corporation founded in 2002. The company employs technology to improve the traditional cross coverage standard of care, whereby coverage is assigned by the primary care physician or patient. With TelaDoc, covering physicians have the patient's medical record as well as the means to update it electronically. Most importantly, the physician is now paid for the encounter. While most visits occur in less than 30 minutes from the time of request, patients now have a guaranteed encounter in under three hours, with a flat rate fee per visit and 24/7 access to quality medical care. Contact: 800.835.2362 or www.TelaDoc.com.

About Microsoft HealthVault

HealthVault is a Microsoft platform that stores and maintains health and fitness information. Live Search Health (the search component of HealthVault) features a topical search engine allowing users to search specifically for health-related information. A HealthVault record stores an individual's health information.