The doctor will see you now via webcam
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He's thrilled with the care.
"It's just the same as if you've ever done Facetime on an iPhone," explains Matulaitis, 59, who continues his virtual checkups with Dorsey a few times a year.
"It allows the doctor to see the patient at a point where they are at their best."
Telemedicine is broader than a Skype-like doctor visit. For years, doctors have delivered different forms of care remotely, from the old-fashioned phone call to at-home monitors that measure someone's blood pressure and beam the information to a clinic. Hospitals routinely set up on-site video consultations with specialists.
But the virtual house call is gaining interest. Some insurers offer versions, such as Wellpoint Inc's LiveHealth Online service. Telemedicine provider American Well is making headlines with its direct-to-consumer service, offered in 44 states. Psychiatrists are exploring mental health follow-up counseling from the privacy of a patient's home computer.
