Microsoft is making a huge leap by allowing doctor visits online. Doctors will get paid $30 a visit with no cost to the patient. Here’s the article in The Seattle Times.

I really think that some system similar to this is in the future of Health Care. I hope that it is sooner or later. There really are some interesting insurance questions that have to be answered. Since Microsoft is self insured I can see some significant savings for them. I also don’t see why it couldn’t be create your online encounter in a way that it instructs you to get emergency care. Ok, so that doesn’t solve all the problems, but it’s just sad that there are some great benefits that will be missing because of the potential insurance liabilities.

College Health seems like it’s in a good position to offer these services since many have free Health Center visits and charge a Health Fee to all students. The health fee could account for any costs associated with the online encounters. Plus, it could easily be integrated with an existing EMR where all patient data and encounters could be seen.

Just think of the possibilities!!