13 May 2020 - - US-based virtual care provider Doctor On Demand has made medical services available to 33m Medicare Part B beneficiaries, the company said.

Doctor On Demand said the move improves access to high-quality, convenient healthcare for beneficiaries across all 50 states.

Through Doctor On Demand, beneficiaries are able to connect with a board-certified physician of their choice over secure live video from home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Doctor On Demand is the first nationwide, full-service telehealth provider to expand its medical services to include Medicare Part B coverage following the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expansion of telehealth services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Medicare Part B population consists largely of Americans over the age of 65, many of whom are considered at heightened risk during the pandemic.

Beneficiaries can access consistent medical care for 90 % of the most common conditions treated by both primary care and urgent care facilities, including diagnosis and testing of COVID-19; typical ailments like infections, rashes, cold and flu; ongoing care of chronic disease like asthma and COPD, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and thyroid issues; and for prescription refills.

Patients can see the same physician time and time again, building a trusted, personal relationship via video.

Prior to CMS's expansion of telemedicine to those with Medicare Part B coverage, Doctor On Demand had already seen rapid adoption of its virtual care services within this demographic, with patient registrations for the 65 and over age group growing by nearly 150 % in March.

Doctor On Demand can be accessed through a smartphone, tablet or computer by downloading the Doctor On Demand app from the App Store or Google Play, or from a web browser.

To register, beneficiaries enter a valid email address, Medicare ID number, and a phone number.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Doctor On Demand is waiving the copay for Medicare Part B beneficiaries, as permitted by government policy.

The company is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Minneapolis and Washington, DC.