The Uber of house calls?

NEW YORK — In 2013, a NY-based tech startup created the new service "Pager," which is like an Uber for physician house calls — which kind of makes sense when you consider that one of the company's three founders, Oscar Salazar, was part of the team that created Uber in the first place.

 

Through Pager, residents of Manhattan and Brooklyn can schedule a house call with a board-certified doctor, any time between 8am to 10pm, from any desktop or iPhone. An app for Android devices is coming soon. A typical visit starts at $199, payable by credit or debit card. According to a company representative, Pager is working to accept major health insurance, but currently its website notes that its fees are reimbursable under most health plans. According to its website, Pager's physicians provide a range of basic care for common infections — cold and flu, bronchitis, sinus infections, earaches, UTIs, stomach bugs and more — as well as acute conditions such as allergies, rashes, blisters, asthma, nausea. Urgent care for insect bites and stings, cuts, splinters, sprains and strains also is available.

 

If Pager ( or a service like it) were available to you in your area, would you use it? To vote in our online poll, click here.