Quite obviously, the healthcare industry is topping the charts as the world is steeped in an unprecedented need for high-quality healthcare services. Yet, the ultimate question to answer is whether we need healthcare in the form it used to exist in the pre-coronavirus era. With visits to hospitals being nothing but a threat to one’s life, patients prefer telemedicine services, meaning they want to be diagnosed, treated, and taken care of remotely.
The use of telemedicine almost doubled after the pandemic, making the global telehealth market grow rapidly. By 2027, it is expected to reach $41.5B. Among the innovative techs and digital platforms in healthcare, telemedicine app development has emerged to reshape the medical landscape. Telemedicine app development companies will thrive in the next few years, as there is no way we’ll go back to obsolete queues and outdated hand-written prescriptions.
A proper telemedicine app connects patients with healthcare providers, overcoming geographic limitations, and enhancing convenience. But how are these mobile solutions created? Our guide to telemedicine app development discusses how to develop a robust and efficient telemedicine app. So, we’ll define the app’s core functionality, benefits of telemedicine, challenges, examples, and key aspects of developing a telemedicine app.
Would you like to get more information or start a potential project? We are just a click away. Contact us, and we’ll discuss the end-to-end telemedicine app development services steps toward our collaboration!
Table of Contents
“SPsoft brings clients’ telemedicine app ideas from the drawing board to reality. Our dedicated experts create a telemedicine app that is a state-of-the-art, tailored telehealth solution to meet each client’s unique needs and touch patients’ lives profoundly. It is gratifying to lead a team that makes such a tangible impact, and I look forward to continuing our mission to redefine healthcare through mobile technology.”
Romaniya Mykyta
Head of Product Management, SPSoft
“I have had the privilege of being at the forefront of innovation in the telemedicine field. SPsoft’s impact in the healthcare industry has been transformative — we have developed telemedicine mobile solutions for our clients to harness the power of telemedicine and create meaningful change for their patients.”
Mike Lazor
CEO, SPSoft
Why Opt For Telemedicine App Development Services?
Unfortunately, there are quite a huge lot of healthcare businesses that still fail to understand the meaning and value of telemedicine. In accordance with WHO, telemedicine is the “delivery of healthcare services when doctors and patients are separated by distance.” Telemedicine in 2025 is not a whim but a necessity imposed not by the medical mobile app development companies, but by the telemedicine market itself. Healthcare customers, also called patients, are full swing into telemedicine and statistical data proves it:
- Following the telemedicine market development dynamics, it is expected to reach a value of $185 billion by 2026.
- Telemedicine apps save patients more than 100 minutes of their precious time as compared to the orthodox in-person visits to a doctor, as per Forbes.
- Telemedicine apps are way more protected data-wise than obsolete hospital records, which once again lures people to switch to telemedicine. 93% of users, according to a study conducted by AMA, are now willing to use telemedicine to manage their prescriptions and refills.
Doing business within a market-driven economy, you are held at the mercy of the client’s desires, and your main task is to live up to their expectations. Hence, let’s not beat around the bush: you need a telemedicine app development solution because your customers require it.
Understanding the Functionality of Telemedicine Apps
Telemedicine applications typically connect patients with healthcare specialists through a simple, yet efficient, workflow. The latter involves registration, finding a healthcare provider, booking an appointment, virtual consultation, diagnosis, electronic prescription, follow-up visits.
1. Registration and account creation. Patients download the app and create an account.
2. Finding a healthcare provider. Patients search for a specialist within the app by filtering providers based on specialty, location, availability, or other patients’ reviews.
3. Booking an appointment. Patients select a time and date that works best for them and book an appointment.
4. Virtual consultation. The patient and the healthcare provider connect virtually through the app at the scheduled appointment time via a video call, audio call, or chat.
5. Communication and diagnosis. During the consultation, the healthcare provider discusses the patient’s symptoms, reviews their medical history, and gathers the needed information for a diagnosis.
6. Treatment plan and electronic prescription. The physician proposes a treatment plan, lifestyle modifications, or tests and creates an electronic prescription.
7. Follow-up visits. If needed, patients schedule follow-up visits to adjust the treatment plan.
Thus, although telemedicine app development solutions may vary depending on the app’s design and the healthcare provider’s services, that is the typical workflow of how a telehealth application functions.
Core Business Benefits of a Modern Telemedicine App
Of course, pleasing your customers is the right way to keep your business running. Here comes the expanded list of reasons why developing a telemedicine app might be a great decision for your business and a successful telemedicine app investment.
- Flexible Team Scaling & Increased Access. A telemedicine platform presents all the features you may need to communicate with remote colleagues efficiently. Telemedicine apps bridge geographical barriers by empowering healthcare providers to extend their telehealth service to a broader reach. Patients living in rural areas can use healthcare services that might have been inaccessible before, increasing your platform’s reach.
- Higher Efficiency & Reduced Healthcare Costs. A telemedicine application will reduce the number of cancellations and missed appointments, thus making sure that all of your business hours count in. Furthermore, telemedicine app development can decrease healthcare costs substantially by minimizing the need for in-person visits. On average, a telehealth visit costs around $20 less than an in-person one.
- Convenience & Improved Patient Engagement. Telemedicine offers patients the luxury of accessing healthcare services from their homes’ comfort. Telemedicine apps foster increased patient engagement by providing tools to manage their health. That often leads to improved health outcomes and better adherence to treatment regimens due to the medication reminder feature.
- Continuity of Care & Lower Exposure to Illnesses. Telemedicine simplifies scheduling follow-up appointments and maintaining long-term healthcare relationships. Allowing healthcare providers to monitor their patient’s health over time promotes care continuity. By minimizing in-person contact, telemedicine helps reduce the risk of transmitting contagious diseases, which is critical for protecting healthcare providers and patients.
- Competitive Advantage. As telemedicine becomes increasingly mainstream, a custom telemedicine app may provide a great competitive advantage. It positions healthcare providers as responsive to evolving patient needs and technological advancements.
Main Types of Telemedicine Applications
There are several different types of telemedicine app development solutions, each designed to serve a specific purpose within the broad scope of remote healthcare.
- Live video conferencing apps. Allow for real-time interaction between the patient and the healthcare provider.
- Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) apps. Enable healthcare providers to monitor patients’ health data remotely through medical devices to measure health information like blood sugar levels, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. That is crucial for effective chronic disease management.
- Asynchronous telemedicine apps. Allow healthcare providers to securely receive and review medical data like lab reports, medical images, etc., at their convenience.
- mHealth applications. Mobile apps that help users track health data, manage medications, and independently care for their physical and mental well-being.
Ultimately, some applications in telemedicine can combine features from several types of telemedicine to provide comprehensive services.
Do the intricacies of telemedicine app development pique your interest? Dive deeper into the topic with our guide on telemedicine software development to thoroughly understand the process behind it!
Basic and Advanced Telemedicine Software Features
Telemedicine apps usually offer a range of key features for telemedicine to cater to the various requirements of healthcare delivery. Let’s review some of them.
Basic Features
Some basic telemedicine app features typically include:
- Video consultations. Real-time video conferencing solutions allow patients and healthcare providers to communicate face-to-face remotely. They enable a more personal and interactive experience through virtual visits.
- Audio calls. Telemedicine apps also support audio-only calls, offering an alternative when video consultations are not necessary or preferred.
- Appointment scheduling. Patients can book virtual appointments with healthcare providers conveniently and hassle-free, allowing them to choose a date and time that suits their schedule.
- File sharing. A secure file-sharing feature enables patients and healthcare providers to exchange medical records or test results quickly and confidentially.
- Payment processing. Integrated payment processing allows for easy and secure payment for in-app healthcare services.
- Appointment and medication reminders. Reminders about upcoming appointments and medication reduce no-shows and increase medication adherence.
Advanced Features
Some telemedicine apps are more complex in functionality, incorporating advanced features that allow for more comprehensive and efficient healthcare delivery. Here are some complex features an app may offer:
- Remote monitoring. Integration with health monitoring tools and wearables enables remote real-time tracking of vital health parameters.
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) Integration. Electronic health records (EHR integration) allows healthcare providers to access patients’ medical histories and past consultations for a holistic view of their health.
- AI-Driven Diagnostics. Advanced telemedicine apps use artificial intelligence to assist in initial diagnosis or triage.
- Multi-language support. A telemedicine app may offer multi-language support to ensure effective communication with patients from different linguistic backgrounds, making the app as easy to use as possible.
These common basic and advanced telemedicine app features create a seamless and user-friendly experience for patients and healthcare providers, making telemedicine app development an invaluable tool in modern healthcare.
Curious about the essential features that make up the value of telehealth applications? Read our article detailing telehealth features that drive effective and convenient healthcare services!
Some of the Best Telemedicine App Development Examples
With the rising number of telemedicine mobile solutions, here are a few popular apps to look up to.
MDLive
MDLive is a telehealth app that provides on-demand virtual care 24/7. Patients can choose a doctor from a list of healthcare providers based on their profiles and other patients’ ratings. They connect through a phone or video chat on the app or access other medical services if needed.
ZocDoc
ZocDoc is a medical care appointment booking app that allows users to find a nearby health professional and schedule visits. ZocDoc also offers the functionality for virtual visits, letting patients find and select doctors in various specializations to consult them online.
PlushCare
PlushCare offers in-app primary care and mental health treatment from experienced physicians who can provide diagnoses and treatment plans and prescribe medications. Patients can book an appointment anytime and have a virtual visit with a doctor through their phone or computer.
PlushCare for iOS and Android.
Building a Telemedicine App Step by Step: The Development Process
Telemedicine app development covers a series of steps that require careful planning, design, software engineering, and testing. Developing a telemedicine app means starting a complex project that involves healthcare, technology, and legal expertise.
Stage 1. Pre-Development and Validation
Ensuring that the app meets the target users’ needs and complies with relevant regulations is crucial before diving into your app’s coding and design elements.
Step 1. Market Research and Conceptualization
Explore patients’ pain points, various requirements for a telemedicine app, and what aspects would enhance their patient experience. Also, analyzing the competitive landscape gives insights into what current telemedicine companies offer and where there may be gaps in the telemedicine app market.
Step 2. The Discovery Stage: POC and MVP
This ultimate journey always starts the same: you reach out to a telemedicine app development company and supply your requirements for the app you have in mind. Now, here comes an important milestone: Proof of Concept (POC) and Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the most basic version of your app that will actually show you whether it’s worth being rolled out into a full-scale telemedicine product. Developing a telemedicine app requires creating an MVP to collect feedback from your focus group and improve user experience.
- Benefits of MVP: Developing an MVP ensures minimal risks, enhanced knowledge of the product’s core functionalities, earlier user-provider relationship development, and a quicker development-to-market phase. It is quite likely that if you decide to develop an MVP for your product, you’ll get a business analyst, a software architect, a UX/UI designer, and a project manager involved.
Step 3. Identifying Legal and Regulatory Compliance Needs
The telemedicine app will handle sensitive health-related information and potentially conduct monetary transactions. The key regulatory compliance includes HIPAA compliance in the US and the GDPR in Europe. This legal review must happen throughout the development process.
Step 4. Determining Core Features and Functionality
With a firm understanding of your user needs, market conditions, and regulatory requirements, it is time to make a telemedicine app outline its essential features and functionality. As the app evolves, you may consider adding advanced features such as integrating EHRs, personalized health tips, or reminders.
Stage 2. Execution and Software Development
As soon as you have your concept proven, the development stage begins.
Step 1. Choosing the Platform and Software Architecture
A good beginning makes a good ending. If you’re developing a mobile app, choose between native or cross-platform apps. If you’re developing a desktop app, choose between native or web. A platform choice (e.g., native app for iOS and Android) depends on the target audience.
- SaaS vs. Custom-Built. While SaaS might be cheaper initially, a custom-built app is necessary for personalization, scalability, and long-term cost efficiency. Every medical mobile app development company will recommend you stick with the custom-built option if you plan to develop a personalized telemedicine product for a larger group of users.
- Open-Source. Open-source telemedicine software platforms can be a good idea to use simultaneously with having your very own custom-built app developed along, especially for quick entry into the telemedicine industry.
Step 2. Creating a UX/UI Design: The Patient Experience is Key
A well-planned UX and UI design is vital in making your telemedicine app easy to use and navigate. Remember that your app will be utilized by patients and healthcare providers.
Revenue Generation Strategies for Telemedicine Apps
- UX (User Experience) Design. Focus on user stories and limit the number of screens to a maximum of three to ensure the app is succinct and efficient. Make sure your app is designed to fix the problem and provide a sublime, smooth experience.
- UI (User Interface) Design. That is the visual element, dealing with images, animations, colors, fonts, and buttons. Stick with inclusive design, ensuring the app is easy to use for every person, especially the elderly or people with special needs. It would be a great idea to involve people with special needs in your focus group.
Step 3. Choosing a Tech Stack and Integrating APIs
Your tech stack refers to the specific technologies you will use (programming languages, frameworks, databases, and APIs). Your team of app developers must decide on the tech stack.
- APIs and Integrations. The app cannot exist without 3rd-party integrations (email hosts, payment gateways). Efficient data analytics is also a tall order to deal with without 3rd-party integrations. When selecting APIs, ensure that they follow a HIPAA-compliant end-to-end encryption policy.
Step 4. Development of a Prototype
A prototype is a simplified version of your app containing only its core features to gather initial user feedback and ensure the app functions as expected. This stage is crucial for identifying potential issues early and mitigating the risk of costly changes.
Step 5. Coding and Quality Assurance (QA)
After making adjustments based on the feedback from prototype testing, you proceed to the full app development.
- Assure the Quality. Testing makes sure that your software does not act up when it reaches its end user. Your app developers have to conduct peer code reviews while the QA team must ensure unit tests of the app on various devices. Make sure that you perform the tests before you launch your app. Better safe than sorry.
Stage 3. Go-Live and Post-Launch Support
Step 1. Launching the App
This step involves submitting your app to various app stores, such as Google Play and Apple’s App Store, following their specific guidelines.
Step 2. Post-Launch Support and Updates
When your app is live, providing continuous support to your users and promptly addressing their issues is essential. In addition, your team will need to stay on top of bug fixes to ensure the smooth functioning of the app. This ongoing maintenance and improvement will help retain your existing users and attract new ones, ensuring the long-term success of your telemedicine app.
How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Telemedicine App?
Estimating an exact price for app development is challenging since it will depend on the type of application, its features, the expected project completion time, and other factors. Roughly, a basic app with simple video conferencing might cost from $20,000 to $50,000, while a complex solution with EHR integration or AI-driven diagnostics range from $50,000 to $200,000 or more.
Factors influencing the development cost:
- Complexity of Features. Advanced features like Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and EHR integration significantly increase the cost to develop a telehealth app.
- Platform Choice. Building a native app for iOS and Android costs more than a cross-platform solution.
- Team Location and Size. The hourly rate of the software development company heavily impacts the final cost.
- Compliance and Security. Ensuring HIPAA compliance adds a necessary layer of complexity to the development process.
Thus, the telemedicine app development cost typically ranges based on complexity.
Want to grasp the financial aspect of telemedicine and a clear understanding of your potential investment? Unwrap the layers of telemedicine cost in our article on telemedicine software costs!
Revenue Generation Strategies for Telemedicine Apps
There are different ways to monetize a telemedicine app depending on the needs and goals of the project. Here are some common monetization strategies to consider:
- Subscriptions — users pay a recurring fee, typically monthly or annually, to access the app and its services.
- Pay per consultation — users pay for each consultation or service they use.
- Freemium — the app is free to download and use, but additional features or services can be unlocked with an upgrade only.
- In-app advertising — involves displaying relevant advertisements within the app.
- Partnerships — partnering with healthcare institutions or insurance companies to offer their services through telemedicine app development solutions.
- Corporate wellness programs — including telemedicine services in various companies’ corporate wellness programs.
While you can go in many ways with app monetization, your chosen strategy should align with your business model and needs.
Final Thoughts
The digital transformation of healthcare is no longer a distant vision but a present reality. Today, telemedicine apps don’t only improve the accessibility and quality of care but also reshape the patient-doctor dynamic in unprecedented ways.
The journey of creating a telemedicine app is intricate, encompassing everything from rigorous market research to post-launch support, but the result promises immense rewards. These cover better patient outcomes, greater convenience, and numerous business benefits for the healthcare provider. While some challenges may occur when you develop a telemedicine app, partnering with an expert development company like SPsoft can help overcome them easily.
Have further inquiries or wish to discuss a potential partnership? We are ready and waiting. Head over to our contact us page—we are eager to hear your project idea and serve your business needs!
FAQ
What is the typical telemedicine app development process timeline?
The typical telemedicine app development process timeline typically ranges from 4 to 12 months, depending on the complexity. A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for a basic mobile telehealth app might take 4-6 months to develop a telehealth app that is ready for launch. A robust telemedicine system with features like EHR integration and AI-driven diagnostics can easily take 9 to 12+ months to develop. This timeline includes all stages: discovery, design, software development, testing, and deployment.
Should I build a telemedicine platform as a mobile app or a web platform?
The decision on whether to build a telemedicine platform as a mobile app or a web platform depends on your primary use case. Mobile apps (native apps for iOS and Android) offer better user experience, higher engagement, and access to device features (camera, sensors). A web platform is better for providers accessing the system via desktop. The most successful telemedicine app projects utilize a mobile telehealth app and a web provider platform for maximum flexibility and accessibility.
How much does it cost to add EHR Integration to a telemedicine application?
The cost of developing a telehealth app with EHR integration can significantly increase the total development cost. Integrating an EHR is complex because it requires adherence to FHIR or HL7 standards, strict security protocols, and coordination with the EHR vendor. This feature alone can add $20,000 to $80,000+ to the telemedicine app development cost, depending on the depth of the integration and the number of EHR systems required.
What is the most critical compliance regulation for telehealth software development?
The most critical compliance regulation for telehealth software development in the US is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Any telemedicine app development solution must ensure that all Protected Health Information (PHI) is encrypted, access is controlled, and proper audit trails are maintained. In Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is equally critical, focusing on user consent and data processing.
What qualifications should I look for in a telemedicine app development company?
When selecting a development partner, look for a telemedicine app development company that has proven experience in healthcare software development, specifically with HIPAA compliance. They should offer end-to-end telemedicine app development services, including business analysis, UX/UI design, software development, and post-launch support. Look for expertise in EHR integration, telemedicine software features, and security protocols.
What is the recommended approach to telemedicine development to minimize risk?
The recommended approach to telemedicine development to minimize risk is to start with a Discovery Stage, followed by an MVP (Minimum Viable Product. The MVP validates the core telemedicine product idea with minimal investment. That allows for gathering user feedback on features for telemedicine before committing to full-scale custom telemedicine app development. This iterative process ensures you build a telehealth app that aligns with true market needs.
What are the three types of telemedicine services often built into telemedicine apps?
The three main types of telemedicine services are:
Live Video Conferencing (real-time interaction)
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) (collecting data from wearables/sensors)
Asynchronous (securely sending and reviewing medical images or lab results later)
A comprehensive telemedicine app often integrates features from all three to provide a complete telehealth service.
How does custom telemedicine app development differ from using an existing SaaS platform?
Custom telemedicine app development involves creating a telemedicine app from scratch, tailored to specific clinical workflows and branding. That ensures the platform is scalable and owns the intellectual property. Using an existing SaaS platform is cheaper and faster to launch, but limits customization, features, and design, and can become more expensive in the long run. That’s because your user base grows or your app needs evolve.
