The best Telehealth platforms in 2024 (Pros, Cons, Ratings, and Costs) | Carepatron

What are Telehealth platforms?

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the number of healthcare practices that have adopted telehealth services. Telehealth refers to the delivery of healthcare services using technology like video conferencing and phone calls. Correlating the increase in this type of healthcare has seen a surge in the development of telehealth platforms; systems that are implemented into healthcare businesses to improve efficiency, organization, and patient management. Given the wide range of platforms that are available to businesses, it can be difficult knowing where to start looking, and this is where we can help. In this guide, we’re going to outline some of the best telehealth platforms that are currently available, so your business can find the perfect system and kickstart your telehealth career!

What are telehealth platforms?

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the number of healthcare organizations and practices adopting telehealth services. Telehealth refers to the delivery of healthcare services using technology like video conferencing and phone calls. The increase in this type of healthcare has seen a surge in the development of telehealth platforms, systems that are implemented into healthcare businesses to improve efficiency, organization, and patient management in primary care.

Given the wide range of platforms for medical providers that are available to businesses, it can be difficult to know where to start looking, and this is where we can help. In this guide, we will outline some of the best telehealth platforms and multiple available providers so your business can find the perfect system and kickstart your telehealth career!

Telehealth features

Telehealth has surged in popularity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people sought healthcare providers through their chosen telemedicine platform. Here are the various advantages and disadvantages, providing a comprehensive overview of telehealth capabilities.

Pros of telehealth

Telehealth offers several significant benefits that enhance the delivery and accessibility of healthcare. These advantages address many traditional barriers to efficient healthcare access care provision, improving both patient care and outcomes and healthcare system efficiency.

• Increased access to care: Telehealth dramatically improves access to medical services for people in remote or rural areas where healthcare facilities might be scarce. Patients can receive consultations and follow-up care without needing to travel long distances. It also benefits individuals with mobility issues or those who are immunocompromised, for whom traveling to a healthcare facility poses significant risks.
• Convenience: Appointments can be more easily scheduled around personal and professional commitments. Telehealth eliminates commuting time and waiting rooms, making healthcare more accessible at times convenient to the patient. It's particularly useful for routine prescriptions and monitoring of chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
• Cost-effectiveness: Telehealth can be less costly for both providers and patients. For providers, it reduces the overhead costs associated with physical office space. Patients save on transportation and other associated costs of in-person visits. Some studies suggest that telehealth can reduce the likelihood of no-shows and late cancellations, which financially benefits healthcare providers.
• Preventive care enhancement: Regular monitoring and easy accessibility to healthcare providers help better manage chronic disease and prevent complications by allowing for timely medical intervention.
• Mental health services: Telehealth has proven particularly effective in providing mental health services, offering therapy and support over secure video calls, which can be crucial for patients in underserved regions or those seeking confidentiality. With the right HIPAA-compliant Telehealth platform, mental health professionals are easier to reach out to and talk with at both the patients' and providers' most convenient times.

Cons of telehealth

Despite its numerous benefits, Telehealth also presents several challenges and limitations that can impact its effectiveness and accessibility. These disadvantages primarily stem from technological requirements, changes in patient-provider interactions, insurance coverage, and systemic and regulatory issues in health care.

• Technology barriers: Not all patients can access the required technology or high-speed internet services. This digital divide can limit the capability to provide telehealth services, particularly in poorer or rural areas. Older adults may also struggle with the technical skills required to use telehealth platforms, potentially reducing its effectiveness for this demographic.
• Reduced personal interaction: Telehealth can sometimes limit the personal connection that develops between a patient and a healthcare provider. Non-verbal cues are harder to interpret through video, leading to miscommunications and a less personable service. Some aspects of physical examination cannot be conducted remotely, which might delay diagnosis and treatment for conditions that require detailed physical assessments.
• Privacy and security concerns: Transmitting sensitive health information over the internet poses increased risks of data breaches and privacy issues. Ensuring the security and compliance of telehealth platforms with health data protection regulations (like HIPAA in the United States) is crucial.
• Insurance and legal issues: Reimbursement for telehealth services can vary by location and insurance provider, potentially making it difficult for patients to know if their consultation will be covered. Different states and countries have varied licensing requirements and legal constraints reTelehealthlehealth, which can limit the availability of services to only those within certain geographical boundaries.
• Potential for overuse: The ease of accessing healthcare services digitally can lead to potential overuse, where patients seek care for minor issues that may not require professional attention, potentially increasing healthcare costs.

Why telehealth platforms are important

Deciding on the right telehealth platform will likely take some time, which is perfectly normal. There are various reasons why finding the perfect behavioral health platform is important, including:

• Seamless transition: The transition process can be highly stressful when you decide to integrate Telehealth into your business. Not only do you need to implement new technology into your business, but you also need to train your staff and ensure your patients know how to use it from their end. With the right telehealth platform, this process will be simplified, and the technology will be user-friendly for both patients and practitioners.
• Streamline tasks: A good telehealth platform will be integrated with a wide range of tools designed to streamline administrative tasks. Essentially, this type of technology will save your business both time and money that can be invested elsewhere.
• Organization: Any change in the healthcare business is stressful and can lead to disorganization. The right telehealth platform will organize your data and records for you, where authorized users can share and access them at any time. Ensuring the organization is consistently managed is a fantastic benefit of telehealth platforms that will elevate the operations at your practice.
• Scheduling: Scheduling telehealth appointments may require slightly different methods than scheduling in-person appointments. Telehealth platforms can help your practice produce an efficient schedule that prioritizes both patient and practitioner needs, leading to both high revenue and an achievable workflow.

Tips to optimize your telehealth performance

Introducing an entirely new method of conducting healthcare can be scary, but there is a multitude of tips that can help the health care providers make this transition as seamless as possible. Although every medical care business will have its own preferences, we have created a list of some of the key things to look out for in potential telehealth platforms:

• Integration: It is extremely important that whatever telehealth platform you choose can be integrated with the systems already in place at your business. This will save you money, as you won't have to purchase any additional software or hardware, and will also help operations run smoothly.
• Scalability: Every healthcare business wants to grow, whether that means broadening its clientele, hiring new staff, or introducing different fields of care into the practice. Regardless, in order for this growth to be achieved, the system that you use needs to have scalability features. Many telehealth platforms offer different pricing and feature packages depending on the size of the business, which is a fantastic solution for adjusting to a growing business.  
• Patient experience: In order for Telehealth to be successful within your business, you need to maintain a focus on the patient experience. You should remember that Telehealth is also likely a new experience for patients, who may feel uncomfortable or unsure about the technology. Be kind and patient, and guide them through the process to ensure they are confident in your services. 
• User-friendly: As it is likely that both patients and practitioners are new to Telehealth, it is critical that the platform you choose is user-friendly. This will ensure the transition process is seamless, and every person using the new system can quickly learn the ropes - even those with limited technological experience!

Eight of the best telehealth platforms

Now that we've covered some of the background information on virtual care platforms, it's time to look at some of the best available telehealth platforms. Remember that this is a very brief overview of each virtual care system, and it is a good idea to conduct some of your own research into the interesting ones!

Carepatron

Carepatron is designed to simplify healthcare management by integrating patient scheduling, documentation, and billing into one seamless platform. Its comprehensive features are tailored specifically for healthcare workflows, making it an excellent choice for healthcare providers and primary care physicians looking for a streamlined, all-in-one solution.

Pros

• Integrated scheduling and billing: Carepatron combines essential functions like scheduling and billing to streamline operations, reducing the need for multiple software solutions.
• Tailored for healthcare workflows: The platform is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of healthcare settings, enhancing both efficiency and user experience.

Cons

• Limited third-party integrations: Some users may find the platform's integration capabilities with other software limited, which could be a drawback for practices using multiple systems.
• Learning curve: New users might experience a learning curve as they adapt to the comprehensive features offered by the platform.

Pricing

• Starter: Free
• Professional: $12 per staff user per month
• Organization: $19 per staff user per month

Ratings

• Capterra: 4.6/5 (200 reviews)
• G2: 4.5/5 (227 reviews)

Zoom

Zoom is widely recognized for its video conferencing capabilities. It offers robust security features that are compliant with healthcare regulations like HIPAA, making it crucial for telehealth. Its reliability, high-quality video, and ease of use have made it popular in healthcare settings.

Pros

• HIPAA compliance: Ensures that the platform meets stringent healthcare privacy and security regulations.
• High-quality video: Offers clear and reliable video conferencing capabilities, which is essential for effective telehealth consultations.

Cons

• Privacy concerns: Despite compliance and security measures, past security concerns may still be a worry for some users.
• Dependent on internet quality: Video quality can suffer with poor internet connections, potentially impacting the effectiveness of consultations.

Pricing

• Basic: Free
• Pro: $12.49 per user per month
• Business: $18.32 per user per month

Ratings

• Capterra: 4.6/5 (13,819 reviews)
• G2: 4.6/5 (54,761 reviews)

Doxy.me

Doxy.me is designed specifically for healthcare interactions, operating directly from browsers without the need for any downloads or installations. Its simplicity and compliance with healthcare standards make it attractive for individual providers and telehealth startups.

Pros

• Browser-based: No need for any downloads or installations, making it accessible for users with minimal technical skills.
• Free version available: Offers a no-cost option that is particularly appealing for solo practitioners or startups.

Cons

• Limited features in free version: The free version may not have all the features needed for more comprehensive healthcare delivery.
• Potential for technical issues: Being browser-based can lead to compatibility issues or reliance on browser performance.

Pricing

• Free
• Professional: $35 per month
• Clinic: $50 per month

Ratings

• Capterra: 4.6/5 (1,154 reviews)
• G2: 4.5/5 (91 reviews)

Coviu

Coviu is an innovative telehealth platform that emphasizes patient engagement and empowerment. It includes features designed to improve the telehealth experience, such as real-time video consultations and interactive tools for patient education.

Pros

• Patient engagement tools: These include interactive tools that enhance patient education and engagement during consultations.
• Built-in clinical tools: Offers clinical tools like assessments and treatment plan templates, enhancing the therapeutic process.

Cons

• Higher cost for advanced features: More advanced features come at a higher price, which may be prohibitive for smaller practices.
• Complex features may require training: The range of features may require additional training for staff to utilize the platform's capabilities fully.

Pricing

• Essentials: $25 per user per month
• Standard: $45 per user per month
• Premium: $65 per user per month
• Enterprise: Contact Coviu for custom pricing options

Ratings

• Capterra: 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
• G2: 5/5 (1 review)

Psychology Today

Psychology Today is best known for its extensive directory of therapists and teletherapy services, making it a pivotal resource for patients seeking mental health support. The platform is well-established and serves as a bridge between patients and mental health professionals.

Pros

• Extensive therapist directory: Offers a wide range of verified therapists, making it easier for patients to find suitable mental health support.
• Reputable platform: Known for its credibility and extensive resources in the mental health community.

Cons

• Limited interaction capabilities: Primarily serves as a directory rather than a full-service telehealth platform, so users may need to use additional tools for actual sessions.
• Subscription model for therapists: Therapists must pay to be listed, which might influence the range of options available to patients.

Pricing

• Fixed: $29.95 per month

Ratings

• G2: N/A

BetterHelp

BetterHelp is one of the largest online counseling services, offering flexible communication options like text, video, and voice sessions. This allows for convenient access to mental health services from anywhere.

Pros

• Flexible communication options: Provides multiple ways to communicate, accommodating different preferences and needs.
• Accessibility: Offers services accessible from anywhere, enhancing convenience for users.

Cons

• Cost variability: Pricing can be higher compared to traditional therapy, depending on the frequency and type of communication.
• Lack of immediate response: Some users may experience delays in communication, which can be a drawback for those needing more immediate support.

Pricing

• Rates depend on individual preferences, location, and available therapists.

Ratings

• G2: 4.8/5 (56 reviews)

Google Meet

Google Meet integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, offering a reliable and secure platform for telehealth consultations, especially for those already using Google services.

Pros

• Seamless integration with Google Workspace: Makes scheduling and managing telehealth appointments easier through tools like Google Calendar.
• Accessibility on multiple devices: Can be used across a variety of devices, ensuring easy access for both providers and patients.

Cons

• Basic features in free version: The free version has limited features, which might not suffice for more extensive healthcare needs.
• Dependence on Google ecosystem: Best used within the Google ecosystem, which might limit its appeal to users of other services.

Pricing

• Business Starter: $5.40 per user per month
• Business Standard: $10.80 per user per month
• Business Plan: $18 per user per month
• Enterprise: Contact sales for custom pricing

Ratings

• Capterra: 4.5/5 (11,733 reviews)
• G2: 4.6/5 (2,170 reviews)

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is particularly beneficial for larger healthcare organizations that need robust collaboration tools integrated with secure video conferencing capabilities.

Pros

• Comprehensive collaboration tools: Ideal for larger organizations that require extensive collaboration features.
• Strong security features: Offers security measures that are crucial for handling confidential health consultations.

Cons

• Complexity: This can be complex for users not familiar with Microsoft's ecosystem.
• Requires Microsoft 365 subscription: Best used within an existing Microsoft 365 framework, which may add to the overall cost.

Pricing

• Essentials: $4 per user per month
• Business Basic: $6 per user per month
• Business Standard: $12.50 per user per month

Ratings

• Capterra: 4.5/5 (9,449 reviews)
• G2: 4.3/5 (14,918 reviews)

Final thoughts

Deciding to implement telehealth services within your healthcare business is an incredibly exciting venture for your career. To ensure this transition occurs as seamlessly as possible, it is important that you conduct some research into finding the best available telehealth software platform. Hopefully, this guide has provided you with information regarding some of the available health systems options, and you are prepared and ready to kickstart your telehealth journey!