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How does Telemedicine work in India?

Author

Avery Gonzales

Updated on March 03, 2026

How does Telemedicine work in India?

Telemedicine extends access to consults from specialities and increases patient engagement. Patients can directly talk to the specialists without waiting for days or weeks for them to be available. Daily wage workers don't have to skip their work days and can consult doctors online.

In this regard, is telemedicine available in India?

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) made a modest beginning in telemedicine in India with a Telemedicine Pilot Project in 2001, linking Chennai's Apollo Hospital with the Apollo Rural Hospital at Aragonda village in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

Subsequently, question is, who can practice telemedicine in India? Only a Registered Medical Practitioner (“RMP”) i.e. a person who is enrolled in the State Medical Register or the Indian Medical Register under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 can practice telemedicine in India.

Subsequently, one may also ask, how does the telemedicine work?

Telemedicine is a general term that covers all of the ways you and your doctor can use technology to communicate without being in the same room. It includes phone calls, video chats, emails, and text messages. People also call it telehealth, digital medicine, e-health, or m-health (for “mobile”).

Why is telemedicine used in India?

“While telemedicine cannot replace the traditional medical consultations and hospital visits for emergency conditions and medical procedures, it will certainly reduce the pressure on the healthcare system in a vast and populous country like India with disproportionate healthcare facilities.

How do I start Teleconsultation?

The Telemedicine Guidelines require doctors who provide teleconsultation to start patient treatment only if the doctor is satisfied that he/ she has gathered adequate and relevant information about the patient's medical condition and prescription of medicines which are in the best interest of the patient.

What is the best telemedicine company?

Here are 10 of the best telemedicine companies.
  1. Teladoc. Teladoc was one of the first telehealth providers in the United States.
  2. MeMD. Creating an account on MeMD is simple.
  3. iCliniq. The website iCliniq provides a variety of services.
  4. Amwell.
  5. MDlive.
  6. Doctor on Demand.
  7. LiveHealth Online.
  8. Virtuwell.

How can I start Teleconsultation in India?

  1. any part of India.
  2. applicable to traditional in-person care, within the intrinsic limitations of telemedicine.
  3. as well as with the process and limitations of telemedicine practice:
  4. supersession of Medical Council of India.
  5. complete a mandatory online course within 3 years of its notification.

How can I do telemedicine?

Making use of telemedicine services is very easy. Traditionally, the service uses an online account or a toll-free phone number. Patients request a visit, submitting basic information on their condition, and then the physician either accepts or declines the visit, or schedules it for the future.

What is the future of telemedicine in India?

Sweeping expansion of telehealth facilities on the horizon

Recent research has predicted robust growth in the country's telemedicine (e-consults, e-pharmacy) sector between now and 2025 – at a 31 percent compound annual growth rate, securing up to $5.5 billion.

How do I start telemedicine in my practice?

The rest of this chapter will provide more detail on a few of these steps.
  1. Have a plan.
  2. Select a form of telemedicine.
  3. Ask your patients.
  4. Involve your staff.
  5. Learn about coverage.
  6. Decide how you will use telemedicine.
  7. Know the regulations.
  8. Make sure patients are aware that you offer telemedicine.

Is video required for telemedicine?

The provider must use an interactive audio and video telecommunications system that permits real-time communication between the distant site and the patient at home.
In a conversation with Medical Dialogues, President of the Karnataka Medical Council, Dr Veerabhadrappa confirmed that the online consultation of doctors with patient is against the law, therefore the doctors are strictly told not to indulge themselves in such illegal practices.

What are three different types of telemedicine?

There are three main types of telemedicine, which include store-and-forward, remote monitoring, and real-time interactive services. Each of these has a beneficial role to play in overall health care and, when utilized properly, can offer tangible benefits for both healthcare workers and patients.

What are the disadvantages of telemedicine?

Disadvantages of Telemedicine

One of the main disadvantages is availability and cost. You may not have access to telemedicine services. For the provider, it can be expensive to set up and maintain. Though a great and worthy service, telemedicine may be too costly for smaller healthcare facilities.

How is telemedicine paid for?

By default, telemedicine can always be billed directly to payments and collected via cash or credit. There are no regulations preventing the delivery of services over video. There are also many payers updating policies to include video visits and other forms of virtual care.

What is the difference between telehealth and telemedicine?

Telehealth is different from telemedicine in that it refers to a broader scope of remote health care services than telemedicine. Telemedicine refers specifically to remote clinical services, while telehealth can refer to remote non-clinical services.

How much does a telemedicine visit cost?

A 2017 study found that a telehealth visit costs an average of $79, compared to $146 for a doctor's visit and $1,734 for an emergency room visit. Here's a sampling of the current telehealth visit cost, by provider, for patients with no health insurance.

When is telemedicine used?

Here's a short list of common conditions a primary care doctor may treat via telemedicine:
  • Allergies.
  • Arthritic Pain.
  • Asthma.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Colds and Flu.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Infections.
  • Insect Bites.

What does telemedicine consist of?

Telemedicine refers to the use of information technologies and electronic communications to provide remote clinical services to patients. The digital transmission of medical imaging, remote medical diagnosis and evaluations, and video consultations with specialists are all examples of telemedicine.

Does insurance pay for telemedicine?

Telemedicine Reimbursement by Private Insurance Companies

Right now, twenty-six states have laws that require private insurers to reimburse healthcare providers for services delivered through telemedicine. Worker's compensation plans and small group plans may be eligible to opt out of coverage for telemedicine.

What is telemedicine visit?

Simply defined, telemedicine allows patients to communicate with a healthcare provider using technology, as opposed to physically visiting a doctor's office or hospital. With telemedicine, you can discuss symptoms, medical issues, and more with a healthcare provider in real time using video, online portals, and email.

Is online prescription valid in India?

Online pharmacy laws in India are still in nascent stage and there are no dedicated online pharmacy laws in India. The Information Technology Act 2000 governs some of the legal issues pertaining to online dealings but it is silent on the aspect of online pharmacy.

How can I download telemedicine?

Download Telehealth by SimplePractice (for iOS or Android) in the app store. About 10 minutes before your appointment, you should receive an email appointment reminder. Open the reminder email on your device and click the unique link. This will open the Telehealth by SimplePractice app.

What drugs can be prescribed by telemedicine?

Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth
  • A practitioner can prescribe a controlled substance to a patient using telemedicine, even if the patient isn't at a hospital or clinic registered with the DEA.
  • Qualifying practitioners can prescribe buprenorphine to new and existing patients with opioid use disorder based on a telephone evaluation.

What app is used for telemedicine?

Teladoc. Teladoc lets you talk to a huge variety of medical specialists virtually, quickly, and for free using your existing healthcare plan, no matter what kind of medical issue or specialization you need to help treat your health concern or condition.

What is DocOnline account?

DocOnline is an online doctor consultation platform, which allows you to access Non-Emergency/ Preventive Healthcare from anywhere and at any time!

How do I consult a doctor online?

HOW TO CONSULT A DOCTOR ONLINE VIA TEXT/AUDIO/VIDEO?
  1. Choose the doctor.
  2. Book a slot.
  3. Make payment.
  4. Be present in the consult room on apollo247.com at the time of consult.
  5. Receive prescriptions instantly.
  6. Follow Up via text - Valid upto 7 days.