In a previous post, I discussed the returning trend of physicians making house calls to patient homes. Using the latest portable medical equipment, physicians are starting to make more home visits for patients who are home-bound with multiple chronic conditions.

A new company called “WhiteGlove” has taken this concept into a new level by offering individuals and families of all ages yearly membership in return for “access to high quality, affordable routine care at home or work, 365 days a year, 8am to 8pm.” The difference is the care is provided by a nurse practitioner.

The way the service works is that a customer becomes a member by registering online or by phone for $35 per month ($88/ month for families). If the customer needs medical attention on any day of the year, he/she can request an appointment via phone or web. Within hours, a nurse practitioner then visits him/her at work or at home. During the visit, the nurse practitioners diagnoses and treats the customer and, for no extra charge, provide him/her with most of the generic medications that are prescribed on the visit. Also, a Well-Kit with foods, beverages, and over-the-counter remedies is provided. Customers also have secure online access to their information including their medical history, lab results, visit history, etc. Each visit costs $35.

The scope of care is more or less similar to that of a retail clinic. The “Get Well” service provides care for routine conditions such as sore throats, common cold, coughs, sinus infection, seasonal allergy, earache, swimmers ear, pink eye, upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, flu, urinary tract/bladder infection, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as minor burns, cuts, and rashes. The “Stay Well” service helps customers maintain their health and prevent illness by providing vaccines, allergy tests, cholesterol panel tests, complete blood counts, diabetic panel tests, glucose screening, pregnancy tests, strep tests, etc.

As customers and patients demand more affordable and convenient health care services, this kind of service is expected to flourish over the next few years. Just like retail clinics, it “offers an alternative to expensive emergency room and urgent care centers for routine care and provides a refreshing healthcare experience that eliminates the hassles and inconveniences of running to the doctor, waiting, running to the pharmacy, waiting, and running to the grocery store.” While “WhiteGlove” currently operates in major Texas metropolitan cities only (Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio), it won’t be long before this service starts expanding across the country.