Online healthcare business Zipnosis said it is expanding its service to Colorado and Washington starting on Monday.
Zipnosis allows patients to log onto its website, pay $25 and answer a list of questions to get health help for minor ailments, such as a sinus infection or cold. A clinician reviews the survey and diagnoses the patient, recommending treatment and at times, a prescription.
Until now, Zipnosis' service had only been available in Minnesota. The company partnered with Park Nicollet Health Services, which provided the clinicians to review the Minnesota surveys and make the diagnosis.
Zipnosis will be working with nurse practitioners and doctors on an independent contractor basis for its expansion into Colorado and Washington, said CEO Jon Pearce. Pearce said the company will work with four to five contractors initially.
Pearce said Zipnosis plans to expand in at least ten other states by the end of the year.
"This technology not only reduces out-of-pocket health care costs for patients, but also offers tremendous value to our clinical partners," said Dr. Becki Hafner-Fogarty, Zipnosis' chief medical officer. "Since 2009, we have saved patients time and money, while helping them feel better faster."
Some local doctors have expressed some skepticism over the online health service, saying they were concerned about misdiagnosis. Dr. Benjamin Whitten, past president of the Minnesota Medical Association said last year that his personal view is "written information and checklists" can't replace seeing a patient in person.
