Written by Dr William Maish
People often frame healthcare affordability as an economic debate, but its consequences are deeply clinical. When patients delay seeking help because they expect a $60 or $90 consultation for something simple, conditions worsen, complications increase, and preventable issues turn into long-term problems. Affordability is not a business model choice; it is a determinant of health outcomes.
Time-based pricing is one way to realign digital healthcare with patient needs. Short, simple consults should remain genuinely accessible. Longer consults should still be available without forcing clinicians to rush. By designing a pricing model that mirrors the real world rather than the digital marketplace, we can create a system that supports both patients and clinicians without compromising quality.
If you want to understand how this informs what we do at Medly and why we do it, check out Medly, my publications & my current research.
Written by Dr William Maish
MD MBA MPH FHEA JD (in prog.)
Found of Medly & Medly Health
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