Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) Drives Cash Market for Healthcare

SAN FRANCISCO, March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- HelloMD (http://hellomd.com) today announced the launch of an online marketplace for top medical specialists moving out of the insurance market, and into all-cash billing. The service was launched due to growing demand from self-pay patients for healthcare services. The market for cash paying healthcare consumers is being driven by changes in the health insurance market, including the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) and other factors.

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The cash market for healthcare in the US already amounts to $260 Billion. With 40 million newly insured coming into the insurance market, a shortage of doctors is expected to drive patients with the means to pay cash choose this option rather than wait in line at the behest of insurance companies and public health exchanges.

Over the past three months the service has been quietly beta tested by leading orthopaedic surgeons in private practice to connect with cash-pay patients seeking orthopaedic surgery. With the announcement today, HelloMD has opened its marketplace to many more providers. Over coming months, the company expects to increase the number and scope of medical specialists using the platform. The company already has a waiting list of medical specialists from oncology, fertility, dental, and orthopaedic surgery seeking to list their services.

HelloMD is a website, which enables patients to search from the growing list of top medical specialists. Providers are profiled using in-depth video, photos, peer recommendations and the like. Treatment costs are determined by the providers themselves, and are all-in cash prices including professional and facility fees. The company promises price transparency for treatment costs.

Providers listed on the site promote their services using sophisticated social media, and content marketing capabilities. Providers are selected for inclusion only after a rigorous review by an in-house medical board, to ensure that only the top specialists in each city or region are accepted.

"The ACA is increasing demand for doctors across the board. Yet, despite being busier than ever, doctors make less money than they used to. Savvy doctors are realizing that accepting cash for their services is more lucrative than battling with the insurance companies," said Mark Hadfield – HelloMD's Founder and CEO. "HelloMD is a platform where top specialists in private practice connect with lucrative cash buyers of healthcare. It's a win-win for both patient and doctor," he continued.

About HelloMD
HelloMD is a marketplace of top medical specialists that connects patients with medical treatments for all-in cash pricing. It uses in-depth video profiling, Telehealth and other capabilities to provide patients with access to leading medical specialists in private practice. For more information visit: http://www.hellomd.com

Contact Information
Mark Hadfield
415-300-0491
Email

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SOURCE HelloMD