Save Time on Doctor’s Visits (and Maybe Win an iPad) at LiveHealth Online

9/22/14 - By Linda DiProperzio

Like every mom, I hate when my boys get sick, but it’s a fact of life, especially now that school is back in session and kids just love passing germs around to one another. Couple that with the cooler weather on its way, and... you get the idea. When illness hits my house, seeing the pediatrician is usually the best option. But there are times when it’s not possible (like at 2am), or I’m unsure if that runny nose or low-grade fever is worth a trip to the doctor’s office.

Believe me, it’s not that I’m too lazy to take them—it’s more like I’m scared about what’s waiting for us once we get there. Last year, I took my older son to the pediatrician with a cough (with my younger, healthy son in tow) and we sat in a jam-packed waiting room for nearly 30 minutes. It turned out it was just a cough—but a week later they both came down with a nasty virus. I know, they could have picked that up anywhere, but I'm pretty sure they were exposed to it there. So you can understand my resistance to run to the doctor for every little ailment. That’s why I was definitely intrigued by our sponsor, LiveHealth Online, which offers video chats with a real-live U.S.-based doctor 24/7, all year.

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With LiveHealth Online, you can stay in the comfort of your own home while connecting with a doctor within minutes of registering. There’s no schlepping a sick kid to the doctor’s in bad weather, sitting in a waiting room with a cranky child, or exposing anyone to germs. It certainly sounds great, but I have to admit I was a little skeptical when I first heard about the site. After all, can a doctor really diagnose my child accurately online?

The site points out that if it’s a serious illness or a real emergency, then a visit to the pediatrician or emergency room is in order. But LiveHealth can help with such common illnesses as a cold, flu, sore throat, allergies, rashes, sinus infections, bronchitis, diarrhea and family health. Some other pros of the site include:

  • Once enrolled (signing up is pretty easy), a patient is connected immediately to a certified doctor with a license to practice medicine in her state. Waits are around 3 minutes and the average visit is about 10 minutes.
  • The online connection is secure and private, and the doctor can review a child’s health history (you’ll fill it out during the registration process).
  • A record of the visit can be sent to the child’s pediatrician afterward.
  • It's affordable: The cost is $49, possibly less if your health insurance covers it.

LiveHealth also seems like a good resource for busy parents to keep themselves healthy. I know I don’t have the time to rush to the doctor every time I’m feeling under the weather, but now I can see a doctor without leaving home or work, as well as access the app on my smartphone. Sounds good since I spend most of my time shuttling my kids around.

Right now, LiveHealth Online is offering Mommy Poppins readers one free visit (a $49 value). Simply use the code MommyPoppins to redeem. And for a limited time, when you register at LiveHealth Online, you’ll be entered to win an iPad Mini. Feel free to register now while everyone’s healthy—and let’s hope it stays that way!


This post was sponsored by LiveHealth Online, but the opinions are those solely of the author.