Telemedicine deal means some patients skip doc's office for tests

Thanks to progress in telemedicine, some patients no longer have to go to the doctor to see a doctor. It's an approach that could mean that both health care providers and patients save money and time by cutting down on the number of visits to the doctor's office. HealthTap, a Palo Alto telemedicine and medical information startup, said Tuesday it will team up with New Jersey's Quest Diagnostics to integrate diagnostic testing into its digital health platform, so patients can consult with a doctor remotely and get lab tests ordered online. It is the first time a telemedicine company has established a partnership with a diagnostic provider, according to HealthTap.