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"Discovering a new food allergy or waking up with the shakes is scary. But, being able to call or text doctors at night, on weekends and remotely, changes everything. New mobile health apps are springing up to save the day \u2014 connecting doctors on standby with patients who need them the most.\nWe've rounded up five medical apps and websites that connect users directly to doctors. With tele-health apps, patients can call, text or privately message licensed physicians online for immediate help. Patients have an instant connection to knowledgable specialists. This industry won't replace primary care physicians, but it will come in handy when sudden sickness strikes. Illnesses can be diagnosed and medicine can be prescribed right over the web or phone.\nThe benefits are immense. Internet-based healthcare makes high-quality care accessible at low cost \u2014 even to those without health insurance. Consumers can communicate with doctors on the go, at work or from the privacy of their home.  \nThese on-demand resources are leveraging the fact that more doctors, 80%, use smartphones \u2014 compared to 50% of the general population. Physicians are also 250% more likely to own a tablet than other consumers, according to Float Mobile Learning stats.\n\nSEE ALSO: Doctors Believe Using Health Apps Will Cut Down on Visits [INFOGRAPHIC]\n\n\n5 Apps and Websites Offering On-Demand Medical Consultations\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Ringadoc \n\nAvailability:  24/7\nServices:  Video sessions are available with doctors in California. Doctors are available over the phone in 25+ states, see complete list here. (888-4-RING-A-DOC)\nCost: $39 per call or video session\nMedical consultations are available without appointments with licensed doctors. Patients can call Ringadoc\u2019s toll-free number to connect with physicians for immediate advice, diagnosis or prescription. \nCallers are quickly matched with a doctor who can tell them if they need to go to the emergency room or wait until the next morning.\nAll Ringadoc physicians are specially screened and trained for the job. The company ensures licensed and registered doctors can meet patient needs with over-the-phone medical consultations. The company is actively recruiting physicians for their growing network. \nAnyone in the U.S. can use Ringadoc. In order to receive medical advice, patients will need to create a free profile on the website. \nRingadoc believes its $39-per-call rate is \"significantly cheaper than most doctor copays.\" Plus, there's no need for health insurance to use this service. Pre-paid plans include an $89.99 annual option that includes three calls or $119.99 yearly rate for six calls.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. American Well's Online Care Mobile App \n\nAvailability:  24/7\nServices:  Video, phone, email and chat consultations are available within the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad app. The Android app is coming soon.\nCost: This is a free app medical providers can use to connect with their current patients. Doctors must have an account with the American Well's Online Care Suite to communicate with their patients. The cost of digital consultations are determined by the doctors. \nOnline Care Mobile App lets doctors make digital house calls with smartphone and tablet technology. Patients can request immediate services and ask questions for a specified fee. Within the app's secure platform patients can contact their doctors via video, text chats and phone calls with questions. Video and phone conferences can be scheduled or on demand.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. 3G Doctor \n\nAvailability:  Open to residents of the UK and Ireland 24 hours, seven days a week. \nServices:  Video consultations are available on the 3G Doctor website and mobile platform. \nCost: \u00A335 per session\nStart a video chat with a licensed doctor on 3G Doctor. The web platform lets patients chat live with medical experts. Consultations are available with registered doctors in the UK and Ireland. A UK or Ireland-based phone number is needed to connect. \nOn-demand doctors are available to diagnose and address minor medical problems such as rashes, aches or pains. Doctors can recommend treatments and answer health-related questions. \n3G Doctor was created by Dr. John Doherty and Dr. Fiona Kavanagh to make medical services more accessible to people who need them  -- often at night or on the weekend. Mobile services are meant to complement primary care services. \nTo talk immediately with a doctor, users must register online and credit their accounts with \u00A335. Once registration is complete, users explain their condition and are matched up with a doctor.\nThe network's local doctors are recruited and trained. Its professionals undergo training, education and background checks. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. LivePerson \n\nAvailability:  24/7\nServices:  Users can live chat, call or email doctors.\nCost: Per-minute rates are $1.50 and up\nLivePerson should be thought of as a huge global chat room for experts.\nWithin the Health &amp; Medicine section, there are hundreds of healthcare professionals available to virtually meet patients. Users can easily see which doctors are online. Pictures, specialties and per-minute rates also appear.\nDoctors are available to answer simple questions, diagnose ailments and give second opinions on medical conditions. Photos, names, bios and reviews help users select their doctor.\nOn the platform, users can read reviews submitted by other digital patients. There's a huge range of medical specialists on LivePerson. Hundreds of doctors are available to live chat or exchange emails. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. Consult A Doctor\n\nAvailability:  Medical consultations are available on the web and within the program's iDr 24/7 iPhone app, 24/7.\nServices:  Live chat, phone and email consultations are available.\nCost: Simple consultations with on-demand doctors by phone or email are free for members.There are monthly and annual memberships for individuals -- pricing details can be found here. \nConsult A Doctor offers on-demand prescriptions, medical advice, illness diagnosis and treatment plans. Physicians are available around the clock to registered members by email, phone, online chat and for video consultations. \nMembers have access to doctors in all 50 states. Users can connect to the app from anywhere. \nThere are two kinds of tele-health consultations available. The on-call consultations via a toll-free number is free with membership. On-call service is generally great for quick medical advice and recommendations for treatments. \nBy-appointment and priority calls are more comprehensive consultations. These calls, $20, require an online medical assessment and complete history questionnaire. \nTele-consults are available around the clock, 365 days a year. Members have unlimited access to the national network of board-certified physicians. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOn-demand doctor apps are a large part of the booming medical apps industry. Will you use any of these services during a minor medical emergency? Share your thoughts about the emerging mobile health revolution.\nImage courtesy of Flickr, Alex E. Proimos"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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