“The Story Behind Tap Telehealth: Why a Text Message Can Change Everything”
For over 20 years, I’ve been an ER physician, and I’ve seen the best and the worst of healthcare. But what I’ve realized is that much of what I treat is the result of a broken system that’s not easy to navigate, especially for those in underserved communities. That’s why I created Tap Telehealth—it’s a very personal journey for me and not just a business.
The Inspiration: Late-Night Texts and the Burden of Care
If you asked any doctor, they’d tell you the same thing – we get a lot of texts from friends, family (and sometimes acquaintances) asking for medical advice. “I hope I’m not bothering you, but…” is a common phrase in my text messages. It’s often something simple: “My daughter has a sore throat…” or “I think I have a UTI… what should I do?” And you know what? Those texts are actually a real window into what the average patient goes through every day! Because you know what they don’t do? They don’t facetime you, or set up a video call or even call you. It’s a text that allows you to quickly get back to them when you have time, and that really has allowed me to give medical care to my friends and family, but also showed me how it could work for others.
Through a few simple text messages, and maybe a picture or two, I can usually quickly assess if something needs to be seen in person, or if it’s suitable for a quick fix with some guidance and a low-cost prescription. That’s the magic of it. What’s a minor inconvenience for me is a huge benefit for the person seeking the care. A video call would be invasive and monopolize my time, but a text lets me get back to you when I am available.
The Breaking Point: The Cost of Care for the Underserved
But there’s another side to this story. For the past 2 decades of my practice I have given my personal cell phone number out too many times to count, especially to patients that I felt guilty that the hospital was going to charge a fortune just for a simple complaint. I remember a single mom with two young children, no insurance, and a lot of worries. I overheard the hospital registration staff say, “Ma’am, we see you have no medical insurance, but don’t worry, we’re a not-for-profit hospital, and that charge would normally be $3,000 for your two children, but if you pay $1,800 on your credit card today, we’ll call it even.”
And here’s the crazy part: I probably spent about 5 minutes with her two kids and ended up sending in a $5 prescription for them, and then I sent her on her way to pick up her medications. How does a few minutes of my time and a $5 prescription cost more than that family’s entire monthly rent? It shouldn’t! And that interaction is not unique, this is the norm for patients in underserved communities. I saw first-hand how people were being discouraged from seeking medical care, or follow-up for their kids, because they were being faced with crushing financial decisions. It was that very situation where I knew I had to do something to fix this, and that is why I had to formalize my informal side business of being available to friends and family by text message.
The Birth of Tap Telehealth
I knew I had to find a better way, and that is how Tap Telehealth was born. It’s why our service is text-first, because I saw how effective that simple form of communication can be. It’s also why we offer a low monthly subscription fee with unlimited visits, because everyone, regardless of their income, deserves access to care. Now, for the price of a meal at your local fast food restaurant, you can cover your entire family’s medical needs for the month, and you can use our service as many times as you need without any additional cost, copays or insurance.
Tap Telehealth: A Bridge, Not a Replacement
Tap Telehealth isn’t meant to replace your primary care physician, we believe that those long term relationships are important to you and your family’s health. We are not trying to get in the middle of that. Instead, we’re trying to bridge a gap, to be the front door to the medical system. We’re that “easy button” for so many patients. That single mom from before, she may have been able to get better care with an established relationship at a Federally Qualified Health Center in her local community, but without knowing where to start, she had no other options. I’ve seen other patients with insurance that also just didn’t know where to turn, so they defaulted to the ER. We want to help you get to those resources in your community that you might not know about.
Connecting Patients to the Right Resources
If we can’t treat your specific condition with Tap Telehealth, we’ll help you connect with the right resource. Whether it’s a local FQHC, a community doctor taking new patients, or a non-profit clinic, we are committed to connecting you with the resources that are best for your long term health. And if you need the ER, we’ll make sure that is the right decision, and is not the only option available to you.
Tap Telehealth is more than just a company; it’s a mission. It’s about making sure that everyone, regardless of their background, their situation, or their zip code, has access to affordable, convenient, and effective healthcare. We’re your partner in health, here for you every step of the way.
“Ready to join us on this mission? Tap into Tap Telehealth today and experience healthcare that is built for everyone.”
Dirk Perritt M.D.
