Teladoc, which bills itself as the nation’s first and largest telehealth provider, announced a new strategic partnership with technology company HealthSpot. The initiative, executives say, will enhance Teladoc’s solution with the ability to offer an on-site option through HealthSpot’s telehealth system, which provides medical diagnostic technology in a private, walk-in kiosk: the HealthSpot Station.

Executives announced the partnership Jan. 9 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

"Teladoc’s focus is on providing options for customers to access non-emergency, primary care and HealthSpot is a great complement to our current suite of solutions," said Jason Gorevic, CEO of Teladoc. "Patients’ lives have become increasingly busy and the HealthSpot Station provides our members with one more choice in how they interact with a physician – via a physical kiosk, along with our current telephone or secure video options. This offering will accelerate our vision of transforming healthcare by providing patients with access to affordable, high-quality care when, where and how they want.”

[See also: TelaDoc eyes growth with new money in hand.]

The partnership, reached in principal and subject to negotiating and executing a definitive agreement, will expand Teladoc’s current telehealth solution with another access point of care for employers, health plans, health systems and patients.

The HealthSpot Station is an 8-foot by 5-foot, ADA accessible, fully-enclosed kiosk furnished with a touch screen, audio system, and a two-way high-definition screen that includes multiple high-tech, digital biometric devices that transmits information to doctors through a secured HIPAA-compliant connection.

“Partnering with Teladoc has proven invaluable to furthering HealthSpot’s mission,” said Steve Cashman, founder and CEO of HealthSpot. “With the HealthSpot Station adding a new platform for Teladoc’s vast network of state licensed, board-certified providers, we are able to extend the reach of care to patients who cannot access the care they require in a timely fashion. This creates an incredible opportunity by presenting an innovative solution to combat barriers to broad adoption of telehealth.”

[See also: Aetna members now have access to telehealth consultations.]

Teladoc’s service may be used when a patient is unable to visit their doctor, such as after office hours, and is not a replacement for their primary care physician, Gorevic said. Through the service, patients may receive treatment for non-emergency medical issues, such as allergies, bronchitis, pink eye, sinus problems, ear infection for adults and children and other conditions. Physicians may also write short-term prescriptions for non-controlled substances if medically appropriate.