Telemedicine App Development: Expert Advice & Cost Breakdown

Thinking about building a telemedicine app but unsure where to start? No worries, you're not alone.

 

In this blog post, our experts break down all the technical details in simple terms based on our hands-on experience. By the end, you'll have a clear idea of how to develop a telemedicine app, what to expect during the development process, and what steps you need to take.

 

Whether you're a healthcare provider looking to expand your services or an entrepreneur stepping into the digital health world, this guide will help you understand and simplify the process of custom telemedicine app development.

 

In this article, we'll cover:

 

• The key aspects of telemedicine app development
• Essential telemedicine app features you need
• Important security considerations 
• Costs involved in development
• And other critical insights.

 

Stay tuned to learn more!

Scheduler for medical doctors made by Onix

Breaking Down the Types of Telemedicine

Telemedicine provides different types of services to meet various healthcare needs.

 

Even if you already have a clear idea of the telemedicine app you want to create, it’s worth exploring all the options available. This might spark new ideas and help you as you get ready to develop your app.

 

Here’s a simple look at the main types of telemedicine:

 

Real-time telemedicine (synchronous telemedicine)

Real-time telemedicine involves live, interactive consultations between patients and healthcare providers through video, audio, or chat. This type of telemedicine allows for immediate communication and is similar to a traditional in-person visit but conducted remotely.

 

Use cases:

 

• General medical consultations
• Follow-up appointments
• Specialist consultations

 

Store-and-forward telemedicine (asynchronous telemedicine)

Store-and-forward telemedicine allows patients to submit medical information, such as images, videos, and medical histories, which healthcare providers review later. This type does not require simultaneous interaction.

 

Use cases:

 

• Dermatology (e.g., sending photos of skin conditions)
• Radiology (e.g., sharing imaging results)
• Pathology (e.g., sending lab results)

 

Remote patient monitoring (RPM)

Remote patient monitoring involves using digital technologies to monitor and collect health data from patients outside of traditional clinical settings. This data is transmitted to healthcare providers for ongoing assessment and management.

 

Use cases:

 

• Chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
• Post-operative monitoring
• Fitness and wellness tracking

 

Mobile Health (mHealth)

Mobile health, or mHealth, refers to the use of mobile devices and apps to support health and wellness. It includes a wide range of applications, from medication reminders to mental health support.

 

Use cases:

 

• Medication adherence
• Mental health management
• Health education and self-management

 

Teletherapy

Teletherapy focuses on providing psychological or therapeutic services through digital platforms. It allows patients to receive therapy and counseling remotely.

 

Use cases:

 

• Individual therapy
• Couples therapy
• Group therapy

 

Telepharmacy

Telepharmacy involves providing pharmaceutical care through telecommunication technologies. It allows pharmacists to offer consultations, medication management, and other pharmacy services remotely.

 

Use cases:

 

• Medication consultations
• Prescription refill and management
• Medication therapy reviews

 

Note: There are many different telemedicine apps available, and we've only shown a few examples to highlight their diversity. Each type has its own unique features and ways of providing help, so be sure to keep these aspects in mind when you're building a telemedicine platform.

 

Core Telemedicine App Features: Building Your MVP and Beyond

When researching how to build a telemedicine system, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of its functionality.

 

Telemedicine software development involves more than just implementing technology; it requires a strategic approach to ensure the app meets user needs and regulatory standards.

 

To streamline the development process, starting with a minimum viable product (MVP) is often the best approach.

 

This way, you can:

 

• quickly get your app to market
• validate your product idea
• gather valuable feedback from users.

 

 

Below, our experts guide you through the essential features for your MVP version and outline additional features you can consider adding as your app evolves.

 

Core Features for Your MVP

The MVP version of your telemedicine app should focus on delivering essential functionality that addresses your users' core needs.

 

Here’s a list of key features to include:

 

Patient’s telemedicine app features

User registration and profile management

 

• Simple sign-up and login process
• Basic profile management (personal details, medical history)

 

Appointment scheduling

 

• Book, reschedule, or cancel appointments
• Automated appointment reminders

 

Video conferencing

 

• High-quality video and audio for consultations
• Basic screen sharing with the provider

 

Secure messaging

 

• Real-time chat with providers
• Ability to send and receive files (e.g., medical records, images)

 

Basic health records access

 

• View personal health records and consultation summaries
• Access to any relevant pre-consultation documents

NowWhat – a platform for cancer and post-cancer patients developed by Onix

 

MVP features for providers

Provider registration and profile management

 

• Sign-up and login process
• Profile management (specialty, availability, credentials)

 

Appointment management

 

• View and manage scheduled appointments
• Option to accept or reschedule patient requests
• Automated reminders for upcoming appointments

 

Video conferencing

 

• High-quality video and audio for patient consultations
• Basic screen sharing during sessions

 

Secure messaging

 

• Real-time chat with patients
• Ability to send and receive files (e.g., prescriptions, reports)

 

Electronic health records (EHR) Integration

 

• Access and update patient records during consultations
• Basic record-sharing capabilities

 

Additional Features for Enhanced Functionality

Once your MVP is up and running, you can consider adding more advanced features based on your app's specific needs and user feedback.

 

Here are some additional features to enhance your telemedicine app:

 

Personalized health recommendations:

 

• Tailored treatment plans. Generate personalized treatment plans and wellness recommendations based on patient history and data.
• Lifestyle and wellness suggestions. Offer customized advice on diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

 

Automated diagnostic assistance:

 

• Symptom checker. Use ML models to assist in diagnosing conditions based on patient-reported symptoms and medical history.
• Image analysis. Implement ML for analyzing medical images and identifying abnormalities.

 

Immersive consultations:

 

• Virtual Consultation Rooms: Create VR environments for immersive consultations, enhancing the telemedicine experience.
• 3D visualization. Use VR to visualize medical conditions or anatomy for better patient understanding.

 

Remote physical therapy:

 

• Guided VR exercises. Offer VR-guided physical therapy exercises for patients, including real-time feedback and corrections.

 

Virtual health assistants:

 

• AI chatbots. Implement AI-powered chatbots to handle common patient inquiries, schedule appointments, and provide basic medical advice.
• 24/7 support. Provide round-the-clock assistance for patients and providers through AI-driven virtual assistants.

 

Automated documentation:

 

• Speech-to-text. Use AI for converting speech into text during consultations to automatically generate patient notes and records.
• Document summarization. Employ AI to summarize lengthy medical documents and records for quick reference.

 

Advanced analytics and reporting:

 

• Health insights. Leverage AI to analyze patient data and generate actionable health insights and trends.
• Performance metrics. Use AI to track and analyze app performance metrics, user engagement, and outcomes.

 

How to Build a Telemedicine App: Insider Tips From Onix

Now for the exciting part!

 

We asked our developers for some tips on how to build a telemedicine platform, and here’s what they shared:

 

Understand telemedicine app development: What’s involved

If you already know about software development, you can skip ahead to the next section. But if you’re new to it, let’s dive in together.

 

Some key development steps remain the same no matter what kind of telemedicine app you’re developing.

 

So, how to make a telemedicine app? Well, we need to follow these typical steps:

 

1. Consulting assistance

In this stage, you'll team up with experts who offer advice and strategic input to guide you through the different phases of development.

 

2. Conceptualization and planning

In this phase, the development team:

 

• Clarify your app's goals, such as improving access to care or enhancing patient engagement.
• Study the telemedicine landscape, market trends, and user needs.
• Create a project plan with milestones for both MVP features and future enhancements.

 

3. Design and prototyping

The design team creates user-friendly designs and prototypes to visualize the app’s layout and functionalities. Designers test early versions to gather feedback and refine your design.

4.Development and coding

The developers take your concept and turn it into a working telemedicine app. They set up the app’s structure, design its interface, and add features like video calls, secure messaging, and electronic health records.

 

5.Testing and quality assurance

QA engineers test the software for bugs and usability problems in different scenarios. They verify that all features work correctly and ensure the app performs well and meets security standards.

 

6.Launch and maintenance

The developers release the app and monitor for any issues. They provide ongoing support and address user feedback. The maintenance stage keeps the app reliable and useful for users over time.

 

You’ll need the right tech skills and expertise to make all these development stages work. Below, we outline the typical team you’ll need to build a telemedicine app.

Select the proper technologies

Choosing the right technologies can be overwhelming, with so many options available. But don’t stress — our developers are here to help!

 

We’ve put together a list of reliable technologies you can trust.

Prioritize security to keep patient data safe

We don’t need to go over how crucial it is to follow standards and the risks of not doing so — you're likely already aware of that.

 

So, how to build a telehealth application that will be as secure as possible?

 

Let’s get straight to the key standards and regulations your developers should be aware of during the telehealth app development.

 

• Data Encryption

Encryption is the process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. It protects sensitive health information from being intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals.

 

For telemedicine apps, encryption must be applied to data at rest (stored data) and data in transit (data being transmitted over the network).

 

• Implement end-to-end encryption to secure patient communications.
• Use strong encryption standards like AES-256 for data storage.
• Ensure secure encryption protocols (e.g., TLS) for data transmission.

 

• Authentication and Authorization

Proper authentication and authorization prevent unauthorized access to patient data and ensure that users can only access information relevant to their role.

 

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for both patients and healthcare providers.
• Use strong, unique passwords and encourage regular updates.
• Ensure role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict access to sensitive data based on user roles.

 

Learn more: A Guide to HIPAA Compliance for Software Developers

 

• Compliance with Regulations

Telemedicine apps must comply with various regulations to protect patient data according to established standards. These regulations vary by region but often include requirements for data protection and privacy. 

 

• Adhere to regulations like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the U.S., GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe, or other relevant local regulations.
• Regularly review and update your app’s compliance measures in response to changes in regulations.

 

• Secure Communication Channels

Telemedicine apps use various communication channels, such as video calls, messaging, and file sharing. Securing communication channels prevents unauthorized interception and access to sensitive conversations and documents.

 

• Use secure, encrypted communication protocols for video and voice calls.
• Implement secure file transfer methods for sharing medical documents.
• Regularly update communication software to address potential vulnerabilities.

 

• Data Backup and Recovery

Data backups and recovery plans ensure that patient information can be restored in case of data loss or corruption.

 

• Implement automated data backups to secure copies of patient data.
• Test your data recovery procedures regularly to ensure they work effectively.
• Store backups in secure, off-site locations to protect against data loss from physical damage or cyberattacks.

 

• Vulnerability Testing and Security Audits

Proactive testing and audits help uncover and mitigate security risks before they can be exploited by attackers.

Best Practices:

 

• Conduct regular penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
• Perform comprehensive security audits to assess compliance and security measures.
• Address findings from tests and audits promptly.

 

 

Consider APIs you can implement into your telemedicine app

By integrating APIs, you can:

 

• enhance your telemedicine app's functionality
• reduce development time significantly
• provide a better experience for patients and healthcare providers. 

 

Here, our developers share some popular platforms and services they frequently integrate to improve our clients' telemedicine solutions:

 

Communication and video conferencing APIs:

 

• Twilio. For video, voice, and messaging services, ideal for real-time consultations.
• Zoom Video SDK.  Zoom’s video capabilities for secure, high-quality calls.
• Agora. Real-time voice and video, including features like virtual waiting rooms.
• Vonage. APIs for customized video, voice, and messaging experiences.

 

Messaging and chat APIs

 

• SendBird. Real-time chat, messaging, and chatbots with file sharing and notifications.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). Push notifications for Android, iOS, and the web.

 

Electronic Health Records (EHR) and EMR APIs

 

• Epic. Access patient data and medical records via App Orchard.
• Cerner. Facilitates patient data exchange and integration.
• FHIR. Standard for exchanging electronic health records, promoting interoperability.

 

Payment processing APIs

 

• Stripe. Payment processing, billing, and subscription management.
• PayPal. Secure transaction processing for various payment options.
• Square. Invoicing, payment processing, and transaction management.

 

Prescription and pharmacy APIs

 

• Surescripts. E-prescribing and secure prescription data transmission.
• GoodRx. Compare drug prices and find discounts.

 

Insurance and billing APIs

 

• PokitDok. Insurance eligibility, claims submission, and scheduling.
• Eligibility and Benefits APIs. Verify insurance and manage billing.

 

Analytics and monitoring APIs

 

• Google Analytics. Track user interactions and app usage.
• Mixpanel. Advanced analytics for user behavior tracking.
• Sentry. Real-time error tracking and monitoring.

 

Keep in mind that all integrations in your telemedicine app will impact the total costs involved.

 

How much does it cost to develop a telemedicine app?

Below, we break down the key cost factors and provide a comprehensive overview of what you can expect when budgeting for a telemedicine app.

 

Scope and features

 

• Basic features (MVP) include essential functionalities like user registration, profile management, video conferencing, chat, appointment scheduling, and basic notifications. Depending on the app's complexity and design, an MVP can range from $30,000 to $100,000.

 

• Advanced features like EHR integration, AI-driven diagnostics, in-app payment processing, multi-language support, and machine learning can increase costs. The cost for these advanced features typically ranges from $100,000 to $300,000 or more.

 

Design and user experience

The cost of UI/UX design varies based on the app's complexity, the number of screens, and the level of customization required.

 

A basic design may cost around $5,000 to $15,000, while a more sophisticated, custom design can range from $15,000 to $50,000.

 

Development team's location

 

• North America: $100 - $250 per hour
• Western Europe: $50 - $150 per hour
• Eastern Europe: $30 - $100 per hour
• Asia: $20 - $50 per hour

 

Maintenance and support

Post-launch maintenance and support are critical for the app's smooth functioning. This includes regular updates, bug fixes, and new feature implementations.

 

Annual maintenance costs can range from 15-20% of the initial development cost.

 

Given the above factors, here’s a rough estimate of the costs:

 

• Basic telemedicine app: $30,000 - $70,000
• Medium complexity app: $70,000 - $150,000
• Advanced telemedicine app with complex features: $150,000 and above.

 

 

Onix Experience in Telemedicine App Development

The best way to demonstrate our expertise is through examples. Let's explore some case studies that highlight our work:

 

Scheduler for medical doctors and clinic administrators

 

 

About the project: We were approached by a small medical clinic and doctor service that needed to optimize the scheduling of numerous house calls. Their doctors regularly visit patients at home, in nursing homes, and in hospitals, with up to 12 patients assigned to each doctor daily.

 

NowWhat

 

 

About the project: We've helped our client create an easy-to-use website where cancer and post-cancer patients can share their experiences and support one another.

 

Digital health company

 

 

About the project: We've worked with our client to create a white-label self-managed healthcare solution that helps build supportive networks for anyone in need of assistance.

 

Conclusion

In this article, we've highlighted the essential points for developing a telemedicine app. Of course, there are many more details to explore, but we didn't want to overwhelm you.

 

Thanks for sticking with us!

 

Have any questions? Need some advice? Ready to build a telemedicine platform? Our experts are here to assist you.

 

By reaching out to us, you'll receive:

 

• A feasibility assessment of your idea from an experienced consultant
• A free one-hour consultation
• An estimate of the cost and timeline for your telemedicine app development
• A signed NDA to protect your idea

 

Let's get started!

 

 

FAQ

 

What is a telemedicine application?

A telemedicine app is a software application that allows healthcare providers and patients to communicate remotely.

 

It offers features like video consultations, chat, appointment scheduling, electronic health records (EHR) integration, and more, enabling patients to receive medical care without visiting a healthcare facility physically.

 

How to develop a telemedicine app?

To develop a telemedicine app, you'll need to conduct deep research and business analysis that involves eliciting project requirements and planning the project's development.

 

After defining the main functionality, you and your tech partner select the required tech stack. Then, you can start the UX/UI design and development process.

 

How much does it cost to build a telemedicine app?

To accurately answer this question, we need to know your app idea, its complexity, the number of required features, developers’ expertise, and team size. Share your telemedicine app idea with us, and our experts will calculate your app development costs.

 

What are the legal requirements a telemedicine app must comply with?

These are the most common regulations your telemedicine app must comply with: HIPAA, GDPR, PIPEDA, IMLC, the Data Protection Directive 1995/46/EC, and the e-Privacy Directive 2002/58/EC/ IEC 62304.

 

How long does it take to develop a telemedicine app?

The development timeline can vary depending on the app's complexity and feature set. A basic MVP (Minimum Viable Product) can take 3 to 6 months to develop, while a fully featured, advanced app may take 9 to 12 months or longer.