How Healthcare Startups Can Afford Custom Telemedicine Software Development

When a new healthcare company rises on the horizon – be it a startup or a small provider – they face the problem of choosing the best operational software solution. In today’s healthcare industry, it is impossible to stay competitive without a decent tool that streamlines processes between patients and healthcare professionals. However, many repel from the idea, thinking that the telemedicine software cost is nowhere near affordable.?

But this is exactly where the thin line between the wrong and right choices defines whether custom telemedicine software development can be affordable or not. People often text me on LinkedIn, asking about the best strategies for achieving maximum cost efficiency in custom healthcare development for startups and today I’m going to tell you how to cut your check.

Forget Off-the-Shelf Solutions

Of-the-shelf SaaS solutions are not intrinsically evil. Nonetheless, let's acknowledge that they only cover some of the operational needs of a startup. The whole idea behind a startup is to bring something new to the market. At the same time, the existing multi-tenant SaaS solutions are challenging to customize and often need to be updated. Buying them might seem like a good option in the beginning. Still, eventually, they will drain your budget even more than a custom solution by restricting your capabilities and consuming your budget:

• No HIPAA Compliance. US healthcare providers must ensure their IT systems comply with HIPAA regulations to protect patient health information. But most off-the-shelf medical software solutions don't offer HIPAA compliance, exposing hospitals or clinics to fines of up to $1.9 million annually.

• Lack of Strategic Business Development Capabilities. Telehealth implementation may require a more advanced infrastructure to meet patient expectations. However, off-the-shelf telehealth software may have scalability limitations that restrict customization. On the other hand, custom telehealth software development offers the flexibility to build and expand the system as needed.
• Hidden Costs Incurred. You should be aware of hidden costs when buying a readymade healthcare solution. These may include paying for features your hospital or clinic doesn't need. Pre-made systems are designed to cater to different organizations, which leads to a longer learning curve and requires resources for staff training.

Do Preliminary Market Research

Market research and a telehealth business analysis are crucial before starting the development process. Additionally, it is crucial to identify the factors that can motivate patients to switch to telemedicine solutions.

Start with a Discovery

In this phase, a team of business analysts, technical experts, and UI/UX designers will evaluate your solution's compatibility with the telehealth market. Their assessment will help determine whether your solution meets the market's requirements.

Activities

• Conduct the workshops on business/strategy goals;
• Conduct a thorough competitor analysis to identify successful solutions and their functionality;
• Define the key features of your future telemedicine software;
• Plan the product roadmap, timeline, and team structure and provide project implementation estimates.

Deliverables

• Detailed product decomposition;
• Technical architecture (cloud, software, data);
• Product structure;?
• User classes, roles, permissions, flow;
• High-end backlog (epics and stories structure);
• UX concept prototyping;
• Validated roadmap against resources and timeline constraints;?
• Sprint planning (first four sprints);?
• Draft team structure validation/update for the initial three months.

Business Proof Your Concept

Create a fundamental solution to gather feedback from healthcare staff, partners, and potential clients. This phase yields valuable insights and can lower the expenses of telemedicine software. The proof of concept (POC) typically lasts 2-3 weeks, and its cost may vary based on the complexity.?

Telemedicine reduces long-term costs by offering tailored compliance scalability and avoiding unnecessary expenses, making it a preferred choice for medical organizations. Even though bespoke telemedicine development may involve higher initial investments, it is a more cost-effective option in the long run.

What else would you like to learn about telemedicine software development? Let me know at [email protected] or by filling out the contact form.?