Got a skin problem? There is an app for that

Finally, there is a healthcare solution available for the nearly 45 million uninsured, the 100 million underinsured and those Americans who simply want - and need - the convenience of immediate healthcare diagnoses and subsequent prescription medications for skin conditions like acne, wrinkles, spider veins and moles.

A groundbreaking innovation, SkinofMine.com now offers a low cost, minimal-wait, private dermatological solution to patients across the country through a smart phone or computer.

The first-of-its-kind national platform, which was conceived by scientist Dr. Ellen Kislal and medical entrepreneur Sean Elwell, is shattering the presumption that health insurance, be it publicly or privately funded, is the only viable healthcare services delivery paradigm, and that medical facilities are the only locations which may provide these benefits.

“The United States healthcare system presently only works well for less than 30 percent of our citizens,” says Elwell. “Even the Americans with the best health insurance coverage typically have to wait an average of three months to see their dermatologist.”

Elwell, a career entrepreneur who has always wrestled with the problem of accessing healthcare outside traditional group health insurance, was inspired to co-create SkinofMine.com by online marketplaces for goods and services such as eBay and Guru. Kislal initially started MIM Labs because her husband had moles, and thus she invented the ABCDE mole autoanalysis algorithm that can detect for early warning signs of melanoma, a particular area of competence.

Skin of Mine’s ABCDE algorithm can automatically identify the early warning signs of skin cancer by noting skin lesion color, border, symmetry, dimension and evolution. If any anomaly is detected, patients will be encouraged to seek treatment from a dermatologist immediately.

Kislal’s work in autoanalysis combined with Elwell’s desire to offer the uniquely human capacity to diagnose illness and legally prescribe medication through a web and mobile platform together changed the way healthcare is delivered in America. They ultimately created a national marketplace for traditional healthcare services - SkinofMine.com.

Here’s how it works: Patients set up a no-cost account at SkinofMine.com to join the new healthcare revolution. It is free to upload symptom photos and to receive an autoanalysis.

There is a fee – the national average is $50 – when a patient receives a certified diagnosis from a medical professional of their choice.

The patient enters pharmacy information and the medical professional calls in the prescription ID required. The fully licensed SkinofMine.com medical professionals, who include medical doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, make virtual house calls. These medical professionals can diagnose disease and prescribe medications as needed. They can be accessed online 24/7 and assure engagement with 24 hours.

Who will benefit from SoM? Anyone who does not have health insurance, it is not required; is underinsured; is embarrassed about a chronic skin condition; or would like to see a dermatologist right away. SoM guarantees a response from a licensed medical professional within 24 hours.

SoM may be accessed from the privacy of one’s home or by anyone who lives in rural areas and doesn’t want to drive to a big city to engage a certified dermatologist or is traveling. SoM may be accessed right from a smartphone, laptop or iPad. SoM provides a personal dermatological archive of skin images for patients who are highly contagious or have an immune deficiency. SoM provides an in-home consultation. No need to wait in an infectious waiting room.

SoM will also benefit those concerned with healthcare costs bankrupting the nation, those who would like more transparency in the costs of healthcare and patients who want to be in greater control of who provides their health service.

SkinofMine’s medical members can set their own rates in a fully transparent free-market system, and patients can purchase the required healthcare services according their individual perceptions of value. In fact, the current president of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Dan Siegel, heads the company’s board of advisors. The SoM network is now available nearly nationwide. The iPhone app is available at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skin-of-mine/id432628083?mt=8&ls=1.

For more information visit www.SkinofMine.com.

Skin of Mine.com is an online dermatology platform whereby certified medical professionals treat dermatology patients in a virtual setting. Patients upload images of their skin ailments, along with descriptive information, and will be offered the opportunity to engage with an online practitioner licensed to practice medicine in the same state as the patient.

SoM is patient-centric medicine at its best. Nurses and physicians set their rates as they see fit. Patients are in command of their own healthcare and may select from a database of carefully vetted, qualified online dermatology nurses and dermatologists based upon credentials, price, prior patient experience rating and availability.

SoM does not accept advertising dollars, so patients will be able to see real product reviews and find information on why various products are recommended. SoM includes quality news coverage to help patients navigate the maze of good and bad online medical information.