Doctor Anywhere, WhiteCoat & More Telemedicine Apps in Singapore

Opinions about medical doctors fall firmly in considered one of two opposing camps. Both you’re a real believer of the ability of contemporary medication and rush to the clinic on the first sneeze, otherwise you suppose GPs are quacks and solely go since you want an MC.

No matter it’s, I feel we are able to all agree that seeing the physician in Singapore isn’t low-cost. 

However now that there are such a lot of new “telemedicine” apps like Physician Wherever, WhiteCoat, and so forth., can Singaporeans now save time and cash on treating widespread diseases?

Contents

1. What are telemedicine apps? 
2. Overview of telemedicine apps in Singapore
3. Physician World 
4. Sata CommHealth
5. Physician Wherever
6. WhiteCoat
7. MHC CarePlus
8. MaNaDr
9. Bonus: HiDoc
10. Advisable bank cards for telemedicine apps
11. Dangers of utilizing telemedicine providers 

What even are telemedicine apps!?

Telemedicine apps, or “physician apps”, permit you to seek the advice of an actual physician both through video name or a message-based chat. After the session and analysis, you may get your meds and MC delivered to your private home. 

Yeah I do know, it’s a little bit sketchy-sounding, but it surely’s positively handy… If the physician doesn’t misdiagnose you, that’s.

Finally rely, there are at the least 11 “telemedicine” suppliers in Singapore beneath the Ministry of Well being’s watchful eye.

Of those, there are 7 which might be obtainable for normal sufferers to make use of for consultations: MHC CarePlus, Physician Wherever, MaNaDr, Physician World, WhiteCoat, Ally, and Sata CommHealth. 

There’s additionally HiDoc, which is for seeing specialists as a substitute of GPs.

The others fall into totally different classes. For instance, MyDoc is a company-facing worker well being profit programme, so you may’t obtain the app and get a session except your employer paid for it.

There’s additionally SpeeDoc and Rescu.sg, two platforms that concentrate on on-demand home calls. 

Lastly, Parkway Shenton can be listed on MOH’s listing of telemedicine providers, however they’re nonetheless within the midst of rolling it out. 

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How a lot do Physician Wherever & different apps value?

These charges are for probably the most primary of consultations. In some instances, limits could apply, e.g. quarter-hour, or 5 messages. For those who exceed them, you might be charged extra. I additionally didn’t the price of medicine as a result of it varies, clearly.

Primarily based on session charges, I’d say that apps like Physician World and Sata CommHealth are pretty aggressive towards “actual” clinics.

In fact, it’ll virtually definitely be dearer than going to the polyclinic (the place subsidised charges begin from $14 per session). However you must courageous the limitless queues for that.

For those who’re going to your neighbourhood GP, that’ll value extra like $25 for the session, which is on par with that of the costliest telemedicine app.

Although there are simply 6 choices, selecting a telemedicine supplier may be robust as there are a whole lot of delicate variations to contemplate. I’ll undergo every app one after the other.

I’ve additionally included the present bank card promotions (if any) for every one.

Physician World — $18 session together with supply

Physician World is an app that guarantees 24/7 video consultations for the extraordinarily low value of $18, which incorporates free supply to your medicine. That is the most cost effective all-in fee when you want meds. 

At such a low, all-in payment, you’d suppose that Physician World is made up of unlicensed freelance quacks sitting at house of their T-shirts.

However no! Its medical doctors are from reputed healthcare companions, most importantly the Raffles Medical chain of clinics. There are additionally smaller clinics (Drs Chua & Companions and Newcastle Clinic) on there. Not too unhealthy.

Be aware that the $18 video session is capped at quarter-hour. Ought to your session exceed this timeframe, you’ll have to pay extra.

Physician World can be clear on what diseases may be identified through video. These embody solely generic issues like menstrual cramps, complications and sore throats. 

Ought to the physician realise that your situation can’t be identified on a name, he/she’s going to finish the decision and you’ll not be charged. You’ll be able to learn extra FAQs right here.

Physician World bank card promotions

None in the meanwhile.

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Sata CommHealth — mounted payment of $15 session + $7 supply

One of many cheaper telehealth suppliers comes from Sata Commhealth, a longtime chain of clinics in Singapore.

The system is sort of easy. There isn’t any particular app to obtain. As a substitute, you merely provoke a WhatsApp video name and communicate to whoever is offered. The session prices a flat $15.

It’s possible you’ll then be given an MC and prescribed medicine, or a referral letter to a specialist, which is then delivered to you at $7 per supply. 

Meaning the full value per “go to” is $22 exluding the price of medicine. Fee may be made by bank card or Paypal.

The charges are surprisingly cheap contemplating it’s a longtime chain of clinics. Nonetheless, you may solely name throughout working hours (Mon to Fri 8.30am to 5pm, Sat and Solar 8.30am to 1pm).

Sata CommHealth bank card promotions

None in the meanwhile.

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Physician Wherever — $20 session, has $15 child session choice

Physician Wherever is without doubt one of the first few telemedicine startups in Singapore, and it’s one of many slickest operations. Nonetheless, it’s not backed by any main healthcare family identify (not like Sata CommHealth and Physician World).

The premise is just like that of Physician World, open the app and get related to an obtainable physician, who will conduct a video session. This prices $20 and consists of supply of medicine / MC.

Ought to your case be unsuitable for a video session, you can be knowledgeable throughout the first 2 minutes of your video name to see a “actual” physician. You’ll not be charged.

Physician Wherever additionally provides a variety of specialized care from psychological wellness, diet and health, and continual illness administration. In addition they supply consultations for area of interest areas like cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, and so forth.

A pediatrics session prices $38 and is mainly a platform for brand new dad and mom to get fast recommendation for widespread child issues, like breastfeeding and natal care. That’s actually helpful, I think about. 

Physician Wherever bank card promotions

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MHC CarePlus — $12 session + $10 supply

Beforehand, I wrote that MHC’s CarePlus providers have been just for company purchasers. For those who’ve Googled them, you’ll know that their web site positively suggests it — many of the info there may be for workers of associate firms and medical professionals trying to be a part of their community. There’s (presently) nothing on their telemedicine providers for most of the people.

Nonetheless, a rep from MHC wrote in to share CarePlus is — shock, shock – truly obtainable for everybody to obtain. Session charges are a flat $12, and the medical doctors can diagnose for widespread “non-serious” situations like flu, cough, chilly and the likes.

Do word that surcharges apply:

• Weekdays, 10pm to midnight: +$6
• Weekdays, midnight to 7am: +$20
• Weekends and public holidays, 7am to midnight: +$6
• Weekends and public holidays, midnight to 7am: +$20

In abstract, the costliest timing is after midnight, the place session is $32. It’s $12 on weekdays throughout common hours, however when you “see” the doc after 10pm or on the weekends, it’s $18. And that’s excluding medication supply…

Supply is +$10 (so whole $22 for traditional session with medication), however you may select self-collection (free) when you really feel properly sufficient to swing by a clinic. You should use the app to discover a clinic close to you.

MHC CarePlus bank card promotions

None in the meanwhile.

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WhiteCoat — $25 session, can prescribe continual illness meds

WhiteCoat is barely extra refined than the opposite apps I’ve talked about. Whereas the remainder are primarily for wholesome people who caught the chilly and need a time off from work, WhiteCoat provides a bit extra.

You will get assist with extra complicated wants, like sexual well being recommendation, reviewing lab outcomes and journey medicine recommendation.

However probably the most attention-grabbing service is continual illness administration: WhiteCoat medical doctors can prescribe medicine for diabetes, hypertension and excessive ldl cholesterol, presumably solely if you’re already identified.

Because the session payment is an inexpensive $25, it’s fairly a good choice for these with these widespread situations and who are usually not so cell. (Pondering of my dad and mom and grandparents right here.)

Do you have to get a prescription, you may select to purchase the medicine straight from WhiteCoat and get it delivered at an additional payment. 

Be aware that the $25 session payment is just for their workplace hours (8am to 7.59pm from Mon to Sat). For after-hours session (8pm to midnight from Mon to Sat; 8am to midnight on Solar & PH) it prices $50.

WhiteCoat bank card promotions

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MaNaDr — no mounted charges, chat session obtainable

MaNaDr will not be a lot a session app a lot as a peer-to-peer app to attach sufferers to clinics or physician. You’ll be able to e book a bodily go to in addition to request an e-consultation. In contrast to the opposite apps, MaNaDr provides chat consultations along with video calls. 

Chat consultations begin from from $10 for the primary 5 messages (however I’ve seen $20 too) and $0.70 per message subsequently. 

Video consultations, if obtainable, begin from $10 for the primary 3 minutes (however I’ve seen as excessive as $40). Subsequently, you may be charged at $0.50 or $1 per minute. Yikes, higher maintain it concise.

I personally don’t like that there’s no commonplace fee, however however, you may select the physician. Plus, chatting could be cheaper than video consultations for easy, post-visit follow-up questions.

MaNaDr bank card promotions

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HeyAlly — $20 session, can prescribe continual illness administration meds

HeyAlly is without doubt one of the newer children on the block. Launched by Alliance Healthcare Group, HeyAlly is a cell app you may obtain. Like most different telemedicine providers, HeyAlly provides commonplace medical advisory and basic consultations. 

What units it aside is that it additionally provides session for continual illness administration. You probably have been identified with diabetes, hypertension and excessive ldl cholesterol, you may get your medicine from HeyAlly. 

Because the session payment is an inexpensive $20, it’s fairly a good choice for these with these widespread situations and who are usually not so cell. (Pondering of my dad and mom and grandparents right here.)

Do you have to get a prescription, you may select to purchase the medicine straight from HeyAlly and get it delivered without cost. Sure, you learn that proper, without cost!  

WhiteCoat bank card promotions

Bonus: HiDoc — $120 session with a specialist

Okay, so the apps above cowl basic healthcare wants like widespread diseases, post-natal care and continual ailments. What’s been lacking to date is a platform for going to a specialist.

For those who’ve ever tried to see a specialist to your situation, you’ll know that it’s both a making an attempt or costly affair (or each).

For many Singaporeans, the usual route is to undergo the polyclinic and get a specialist referral from there. This lets you profit from a subsidised fee supplied at most hospitals.

Nonetheless, if you wish to search a second opinion, you’ll very doubtless must stroll in as a non-public affected person and be charged a a lot greater fee. This will value over $150 for a session. 

HiDoc is an app that provides video consultations with specialists extra cheaply, shortly and conveniently. You’ll be able to select the specialist you need to see, and it prices $120 for the preliminary session and $80 subsequently.

HiDoc additionally permits you to e book bodily go to appointments and purchase prescription medicine by way of their associate Watsons.

HiDoc bank card promotions

No present promotions.

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Which bank cards ought to I take advantage of for reductions on telemedicine apps?

As you may see, DBS/POSB presently has probably the most promotions with these telemedicine providers. So use a kind of playing cards for an instantaneous low cost.

In any other case, there aren’t many bank cards that reward you for swiping your medical payments. The one one which particularly lists “well being & medical” as a bonus class is the CIMB Platinum card, which supplies you 10% money again.

However not all hope is misplaced: you may strive benefiting from a loophole through the use of a web-based buying bank card. Technically, “on-line” will not be an MCC, so it’s best to get rewarded for all transactions made on-line, whatever the nature of the enterprise.

(Except it’s explicitly acknowledged within the phrases and situations that solely a set few classes are eligible (like trend, groceries, and so forth) or that medical bills are excluded.)

A preferred card for on-line buying is the Citi Rewards Card, which supplies you 10X rewards ($1 = 4 miles) for all on-line spending, besides journey.

Since DBS/POSB has probably the most promotions in the meanwhile, you may contemplate the DBS Stay Recent Card too, which supplies you 5% money again for all on-line bills.

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Telemedicine apps may save time & cash, however…

The session charges of Physician Wherever and different telemedicine apps are engaging, however not dramatically cheaper than the charges at non-public GPs. 

Nonetheless, how a lot you’ll find yourself spending is tough to foretell, as a result of it relies upon rather a lot in your medicine. You is likely to be prescribed no matter expensive medication the physician desires to push.

However the principle draw for me could be the time financial savings. I perceive that there’s some ready time earlier than you can begin a video session, however at the least you may lie in mattress comfortably. That’s infinitely preferable to the purgatory that’s the clinic ready room.

A least in idea, these apps can prevent each time and cash. 

… So what may presumably go fallacious?

Danger #1: Misdiagnosis

One is the likelihood of misdiagnosis because of the limitations of know-how. 

I don’t care what number of lenses your iPhone has. So far as I do know, Silicon Valley’s PiperChat isn’t but an actual factor, so web video chats are nonetheless fairly unhealthy high quality in comparison with, you realize, being checked out in actual life.

What you probably have different signs which might be too delicate to be detected? , issues just like the odor of your breath in the course of the “aah” take a look at, that form of factor. I do know that the physician is meant to judge whether or not you’re even appropriate for a video session, however nonetheless…

For those who’re misdiagnosed, it would lead to added prices as you attempt to backtrack and get a second opinion or re-diagnosis.

Danger #2: Employer doesn’t recognise MC

I most likely gained’t have this downside since I work in a startup — we are able to hardly discredit a fellow startup’s credibility, can we? — however I think about that presenting an “digital MC” won’t go down so easily with some employers.

Truly, the federal government has been making an attempt to push for digital MCs. Now you can get a digital MC from authorities hospitals and polyclinics. This takes the type of a personalized URL, which may be forwarded to your organization’s HR division.

Nonetheless, I very a lot doubt that an MC issued by some unheard-of app can have the identical impact as one with a Ministry of Well being stamp on it.

So earlier than choosing a video e-consultation, it’s finest to test together with your HR staff to see if that is acceptable.

But when the telemedicine business takes off, then this ought to be much less of an issue sooner or later. Simply consider how troublesome it was once to assert Seize and Uber (RIP) receipts years in the past. The instances, they’re a-changin’.

Would you fairly see a health care provider or video chat along with her? Inform us what you suppose.

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