Source: Ann Carrns, N.Y.Times ( Free Registration )

We’ve all wished at times that we could just chat with a doctor from our office, instead of taking time away from work to drive to the clinic. Now, a case study of medical care delivered online suggests that virtual visits can effectively treat some common ailments at a lower cost than in-person visits.

A report by the creators of the Virtuwell clinic, an online service started more than two years ago by the HealthPartners health care system in Minnesota that has handled roughly 40,000 cases, says that such visits were, on average, $88 less expensive than treatment provided in traditional settings. The visits also saved an estimated 2.5 hours, on average, of patients’ time.

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