Telemedicine Kiosks Surge Across U.S. with 260% Growth Projected in Five Years
According to projections by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States will face a shortage of up to 90,000 physicians by 2025, driven by the retirement of current practitioners, the aging of the baby-boom generation, and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.If this projection proves accurate, it will pose a significant challenge to the healthcare system. However, this very “crisis” has spurred the expansion of telemedicine, including telephone consultations and video monitoring, among which an emerging technology is the Telemedicine Kiosk.
It resembles a standard large telephone booth in appearance. Upon entering, you will find it fully equipped with not only a wide array of medical devices but also a large-screen operating system and comprehensive network coverage. Patients can walk directly into this minimalist kiosk without an appointment to consult remotely with physicians and receive diagnosis and treatment.Its convenience and efficiency have rapidly made it a key component of health initiatives, healthcare services, and promotional strategies within the public health systems of state-owned enterprises.
It is estimated that the number of telemedicine kiosks in the U.S. market will grow from 10,000 in 2015 to 36,000 in 2020.A significant portion of this market is dominated by telehealth providers such as American Well and HealthSpot. According to an analysis conducted by VCBeat on these kiosks, their current partners are primarily pharmacies, hospitals, and supermarkets.
American WellFounded: 2006 Telemedicine Service Kiosk: The Health Kiosk It primarily serves U.S. health systems, retailers, and employers, providing consumers with a private space to access telemedicine services. Patients can use its high-definition video conferencing capabilities to conduct real-time consultations with physicians.
Key features include:
Features a touchscreen interface;
High-definition camera;
Comprehensive peripheral devices and high-quality biometric equipment enable real-time patient monitoring;
Video tutorials supporting vital signs collection;
Drug Integration;
Services available to customers holding a credit card or driver's license;
Nationwide certified physicians, available 24/7;
Fee Structure: A 10-minute consultation costs $49 if telemedicine services are not covered by medical insurance.
HealthSpotFounded: 2010 Remote Medical Service Kiosk: HealthSpot Station A telepresence capsule-style kiosk that provides patients with fully private, appointment-free remote medical services. Inside the capsule are integrated digital tools for remote diagnosis, such as pulse oximeters, blood pressure cuffs, touchscreens, video conferencing systems, otoscopes, stethoscopes, and more. The kiosk is also staffed by an attendant to assist patients and maintain cleanliness. Patients connect with board-certified health professionals via high-definition video conferencing or a suite of linked medical devices, enabling real-time communication with physicians.
Since the launch of HealthSpot Station was revealed in late 2012, its ambition to deploy telemedicine services has been underway.On January 9, 2013, a strategic partnership was reached with Teladoc. Leveraging HealthSpot’s advanced technology, Teladoc expanded its customer base to include corporate employees, healthcare systems, and patients. Teladoc provides physicians with telephone or video consultation services and free electronic health records (EHR). This initiative marked a new avenue for Teladoc’s telemedicine offerings, complementing its existing telephone and video services.
In the same month, a partnership with Miami Children's Hospital was also announced. The hospital’s Global Telemedicine Command Center will leverage HealthSpot Station to provide parents and children with access to leading pediatric specialists and electronic prescriptions.
In May 2014, a joint venture was established in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, aiming to reach more patients through telemedicine technologies.On November 7 of the same year, Rite Aid announced an agreement with HealthSpot to deploy multiple HealthSpot Stations, providing patients with convenient access to telemedicine services. The company also planned to extend these innovative healthcare services to patients in rural areas. Notably, Rite Aid is the third-largest pharmacy chain in the United States, the largest on the East Coast, and a Fortune 500 company.
Rite Aid U.S. Distribution Map (September 2015)
In the same month, a strategic investment agreement was reached with Xerox Corporation of the United States. Xerox will assist HealthSpot in accelerating the deployment of HealthSpot Stations, integrate HealthSpot’s software platform with its Business Process Services (BPS), and serve as HealthSpot’s BPS provider. Meanwhile, HealthSpot Stations will leverage Xerox’s IT infrastructure to deliver a range of telemedicine services.Additionally, HealthSpot has partnered with the Mayo Clinic, enabling approximately 2,000 Mayo employees in Austin and Albert Lea to use HealthSpot Stations to connect with Mayo physicians, nurses, and physician assistants.Furthermore, HealthSpot Station telemedicine kiosks have been deployed in WALGREENS retail pharmacies and Walmart stores.Pricing: HealthSpot is collaborating with health insurance providers. Similar to in-person clinic visits, patients can seek reimbursement through their medical insurance.
For uninsured patients, a consultation at a HealthSpot Station costs approximately $59–$79, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional clinics or urgent care centers. According to HealthSpot surveys, 15 U.S. states currently offer insurance reimbursement for telemedicine services, while 12 states support the use of electronic health records (EHR). Patients may consider this option as a viable alternative when facing rising healthcare costs or local shortages of medical resources.
CVS HealthYear Founded: 1963Telemedicine Service Kiosk: MinuteClinicMinuteClinic is the largest retail-based healthcare clinic chain in the United States, acquired by CVS in 2006. It is also the largest provider of walk-in medical clinics in the U.S. To ensure short treatment times and low costs, the clinics only manage simple, easily diagnosable conditions. Nurses treat these conditions following guidelines provided by the company’s IT system, and patient consultation records are automatically entered into electronic health records (EHRs).
By mid-2014, MinuteClinic had expanded to more than 900 locations across 29 states in the U.S. To date, MinuteClinic has reached a new milestone, having served 25 million patients.
Scope of Diagnosis and Treatment:▌Minor Illnesses and Injuries: MinuteClinic physicians can evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of minor conditions, including bronchitis, influenza, strep throat, bladder infections, minor burns and cuts, and insect bites.▌Monitoring and Detection: MinuteClinic physicians can measure blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and other health indicators. For patients requiring monitoring for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, MinuteClinic also provides monitoring services and educational support.▌Vaccination Injections: MinuteClinic offers common vaccines for children, adolescents, and adults, providing easy protection for patients and their families. Additionally, MinuteClinic can administer prescription contraceptives and vitamin B12 injections.▌Wellness and Physical Examinations: MinuteClinic also offers healthcare programs, such as smoking cessation and weight loss services.Surveys indicate that patient satisfaction with MinuteClinic is as high as 95%.Pricing: MinuteClinic’s service prices are clearly listed, much like a McDonald’s menu. The clinics remain open during evenings and weekends. Patients are informed of expected wait times, all treatments take no longer than 15 minutes, and prices range from approximately $30 to $110.Doctor On DemandYear Founded: 2012Telemedicine Kiosk: Virtual Electronic Telehealth StationThis medical kiosk primarily provides comprehensive services to customers at retail pharmacies, remaining operational during evenings and weekends. As early as last year, Doctor On Demand (DOD) initiated a small-scale pilot program at Mariano’s grocery stores in Chicago, although the service was still in the design phase at that time. In early July of this year, a pilot project was launched at four Wegmans Food Markets locations across New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Currently, Doctor On Demand is in a phase of rapid growth, having completed a $50 million Series B financing round in June 2015.The company has begun collaborating with Computerized Screening Inc. (CSI) to utilize its virtual electronic telehealth kiosks.Pricing: A single consultation costs $40, which is half the price of retail clinics such as CVS ($80–$100). However, retail clinics offer a broader range of services than Doctor On Demand, as certain procedures require in-person visits, including vaccinations and laboratory tests (e.g., blood and urine analyses).
SoloHealthFounded in: 2007
Telemedicine Service Kiosk: SoloHealth Health Station. It is an open-access self-service kiosk that primarily provides consumers with vision screening, blood pressure measurement, weight and body mass index (BMI) assessment, symptom checks, and a complimentary comprehensive health risk assessment. Additionally, it connects consumers with local healthcare professionals by accessing its database to help them navigate the most appropriate and precise healthcare system. Furthermore, the health station serves as a valuable repository of health information, offering a convenient, user-friendly, and easily accessible platform for storing and sharing health data.
To date, there are already more than 3,000 retail locations, including Walmart, Safeway, Sam’s Club, and Schnucks Markets.Pricing: FreeAccording to information gathered by VCBeat from the perspective of medical kiosk vendors, although there are currently few suppliers of medical service kiosks, their applications are expanding in healthcare settings such as hospitals and pharmacies, as well as in consumer lifestyle venues.Within the telemedicine ecosystem, compared with email consultations, telephone consultations, and Uber-style healthcare services, telemedicine kiosks offer several key advantages:1) Better leveraged the capabilities of medical personnel:First, surveys indicate that only a small minority of physicians are willing to provide home-visit services. Second, even when such visits occur, the medical equipment that can be transported is limited, thereby restricting the scope of possible diagnoses. Third, experience with O2O (Online-to-Offline) home services in other industries shows weak consumer demand, with these models ultimately reverting to brick-and-mortar, facility-based service delivery.2) “Face-to-Face” Consultation:Telemedicine service kiosks are typically equipped with corresponding monitoring devices, such as those for measuring blood pressure, weight, and visual acuity.3) Extension of Community Services:By deploying telehealth kiosks in ordinary pharmacies, grocery stores, and even on college campuses, communities with scarce medical resources can also enjoy equitable care.Furthermore, their distribution mainly follows three models: standalone medical kiosks; nurse-monitored medical kiosks; and clinic-like quick-care clinics. Compared to online services, they offer more service options; compared to offline settings, they provide greater resources and stronger patient engagement. Medical kiosks integrate the features of both, representing an O+O (online + offline) model, which is undoubtedly the future direction of internet healthcare development.
Text | Zhou Yanxun
Editor: Mo Renying