March 5, 2009 Visit the doctor with a click of your mouse Play video

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards) - A doctor's visit with a click of your mouse. A pair of Boston brothers have created a way for doctors to make house calls over the internet.

You're witnessing medical care at any hour of the day- no appointment necessary-- doctors are treating patients over the Internet- with technology developed in Boston by American Well Incorporated..

Roy Shoneberg is a trained medical doctor who along his brother launched American Well, an online treatment service on January 15th in Hawaii.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Hawaii customers pay ten dollars for ten minutes with a local doctor they select, uninsured clients pay 45 dollars. American Well claims its cutting the basic cost of a visit by at least half.

To get started you'll need a computer and web camera. Then log onto a health insurance provider who has contracted with American Well in your state.

Microsoft's HealthVault software provides doctors access to the medical files of consenting patients.

Online prescriptions and very little overhead costs for office space are some of the selling points American Well uses to entice to physicians to offer up their free time and expertise.

Despite all of the benefits to American Well-- there's obviously a shortfall. Online doctor's visits do not physically examine patients.

The company is going public just as President Obama is placing financial and legislative importance on health care. American Well officials

For now American Well is only available in Hawaii. But the company is deep in negotiations with health insurance providers nationwide-- and the Boston-based business expects to service its home state of Massachusetts within the year.