They call him “Dr. IM” – and he’s something of a hipster health-care star, ministering to the young and uninsured via instant message, e-mail and cellphone, and all for a $500 annual fee.
Dr. Jay Parkinson, 31, a general practitioner with a specialty in preventative medicine, will guarantee two house “calls” and unlimited “e-visits” when he goes live with his practice tomorrow.
“Hundreds of people are interested and someone even contacted me about a TV show,” he boasts.
The boutique practice, which the Brooklyn-based doc opened out of frustration with insurance companies, comes with access to a list of the best doctors for the lowest costs and the ins and outs of getting the cheapest – and smartest – health care in the city.
Even though there are no regulations on digital diagnoses, the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians is worried about the prevalence of virtual medical care.
“I would be wary of anything diagnosed solely over the Internet . . . video and e-mail should be a tool, not a primary driver,” said Dr. Rick Kellerman.
Parkinson’s Web site describes a typical “e-visit” for acne that involves the patient e-mailing him digital images of his or her face for diagnosis – and a follow-up weeks later with additional photos.
There isn’t one face-to-face meeting.
On another case, he concludes:
“You think your wrist is broken. Based on your text-messaged description of the injury, so does Dr. IM.”
But instead of trekking to the nearest emergency room, which would put you back $2,000, Dr. IM knows of a radiologist who will charge $80 for a diagnosis X-ray.
If it’s broken, Dr. IM will guide you in an hour to an orthopedist whose fee is $400.
Your savings, Dr. IM figures, are $1,920 if the injury is a sprain – and $1,520 in a worst-case scenario.
Despite the possible savings, Kellerman warns patients to be smart.
He said people should be cautious about giving out information over the Internet – especially in instant messages and to unencrypted e-mail services, like the one Parkinson is promoting.