CASE STUDY
Teladoc wait time vs CirrusMD
Even in ideal conditions, the wait time for a Teladoc telemedicine appointment can be long. Which is why phrases like “Teladoc wait time” generate hundreds of Google searches per month.
Layer on a COVID-19 surge like we we witnessed with the Omicron variant, and that wait time can soar even higher.
According to Teladoc's own website “...average call back time is usually less than thirty minutes.” At the upper end of that range, this means that patient wait times can be up to 30x longer using Teladoc versus CirrusMD. And that difference doesn't factor in the extended wait times that Teladoc patients will experience during periods of peak demand such as a COVID-19 spike; periods that will exceed the thirty minute average.
Contrast this with CirrusMD.
Patient wait time to begin a telemedicine consultation using CirrusMD averages less than 60 seconds, and generally holds true even during periods of peak demand.
As an example, CirrusMD telehealth sessions increased ~53% during the peak of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. But as you can see from the graph below, the upswing in demand did not materially increase wait times. Our average wait time during this surge was still just under 38 seconds.
And another thing
Another important point that often doesn't get factored into Teladoc wait times are the upfront tasks patients must complete to even schedule a telemedicine consultation. It's a 7-step process!
- Log in to your account on your smartphone or tablet, and enable push notifications so that you can receive visit alerts and reminders about upcoming visits.
- Select Request a Visit, and tap on the family member who needs help.
- Select Video Call. The next screen will give you an estimated wait time so that you can decide the time for your visit. (Tip: You can schedule an appointment up to two days in advance.)
- Provide your primary phone number, the cell number where you want to receive text notifications (this is an optional step), and your email address. (These fields may be pre-populated with information from your profile, so all you have to do is confirm it.)
- Answer a few quick questions about the reason for your visit, and upload up to three images of your condition if necessary.
- Choose a pharmacy in case the Teladoc doctor needs to prescribe medication for you.
- Review your information and select Confirm.
Contrast this with CirrusMD.
Unlike Teladoc, CirrusMD is on-demand and immediate.
- There is no waiting room.
- There is no need to schedule an appointment or make a visit request.
- There is no need to complete intake forms or provide your medical history in advance.
- And because CirrusMD is usually subsidized by employers and health plans, there is often no consult fee or copay.
To request a consult, patients just log-in to our web or mobile app and begin receiving medical care in less than a minute.
Every physician consultation on CirrusMD begins via text message — the go-to mode of communication for most Americans — and can seamlessly transition to video or audio if the encounter requires.
See how quick and easy it is to initiate a virtual doctor visit with CirrusMD.
Our provider network is comprised of urgent care, primary care, and mental health physicians, and other specialists who provide whole person care across a range of medical issues including:
Acute care issues such as respiratory infections, sinus infections, flu symptoms, dermatology, and musculoskeletal conditions that have traditionally been treated at emergency rooms.
Chronic care medical issues such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma that have traditionally been treated at a doctors office by a primary care physician or specialist.
Women's health issues such as birth control, urinary tract infections, irregular bleeding, and pediatrician-related
Mental health treatment for issues including anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia.
CirrusMD's board-certified physicians can perform a wide range of functions including ordering lab work, writing prescriptions and processing refills.
About CirrusMD
CirrusMD is a different kind of telemedicine company. In less than a minute, patients reach a licensed physician via our web or mobile app, then conduct a care encounter at their pace and convenience. CirrusMD’s integrated, quality care is delivered via U.S. board-certified doctors who can treat a broad range of healthcare conditions, from acute to chronic, and from primary care to specialty areas, including mental health. CirrusMD is available to nearly 10 million users across all 50 states, and exclusively offered through employers and health plans.
FAQ
What is CirrusMD’s ER diversion rate?
CirrusMD resolves 82% of cases on the platform. This means fewer urgent care, primary care, and ER visits, resulting in typical cost savings of $398 per encounter. One of our existing customers is showing 23% diversion from Urgent Care and 8% diversion from Emergency Rooms.
What kind of utilization rates do CirrusMD customers experience?
CirrusMD customers have attained an average utilization rate of 18%.
What is the average satisfaction rate for CirrusMD?
93% of employees who have used CirrusMD report high satisfaction rates, with a Net Promoter Score of 80.
What is the average savings per encounter for employers and health plans using CirrusMD?
$398
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