■ Free telemedicine service available with select clinics in the Greater Tokyo Area
■ Service will expand to other areas after incorporating feedback from facilities and users
TOKYO – December 17, 2020 – LINE Healthcare Corporation ("LINE Healthcare") announced today the launch of telemedicine service LINE Doctor, available with select medical clinics in the Greater Tokyo Area. User can complete the entire medical examination process within the LINE app: beginning with the search for a medical facility, to making a booking, undertaking the actual examination via LINE video call, and then finally making a payment. LINE Healthcare does not charge users any fees for using LINE Doctor. *1
*1 This excludes the cost of prescription drugs and delivery fees.
As COVID-19 drives demand for telemedicine, LINE Healthcare plans to first gather feedback from both participating medical facilities and users in this initial launch phase—using this data to improve the service before then offering it to even more users. A list of supported medical facilities is provided on the LINE Doctor web page. https://linehealthcarecorp.com/linedoctor/user/guide
Amid a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, telemedicine offers a way for people to get medical examinations while greatly reducing the risk of possible infection from visiting hospitals or venturing outside. LINE Doctor removes the burden of in-person visits and allows patients to receive diagnoses for themselves or family members any time from the comfort of their own home. Better access to medical care also makes it possible for those busy with work or looking after their households to receive early or ongoing treatment.
For medical facilities looking to implement telemedicine services, LINE Doctor aims to alleviate the burden on facilities through the offering of a Basic Plan. With no setup or monthly costs involved, *2 the plan comes with booking, LINE video call, and payment features.
*2 Excludes transaction fees.
Moreover, LINE Healthcare has prepared a starter kit for participating medical facilities. The kit aims to help spread awareness among patients that a telemedicine service is now available, as well as facilitate communication with patients when they actually use LINE Doctor. The kit contains materials such as posters publicizing LINE Doctor, POP displays, stickers, user guides, hospital cards with a QR code that can be used to make bookings, and more.*3
*3 The LINE Doctor starter kit will be mailed to approved medical facilities once development of the materials is completed. The content of the kit may be subject to change without notice.
■ About LINE Healthcare
Founded in January 2019, LINE Healthcare leverages the LINE app's domestic user base of 86 million MAU and the M3 Group's knowledge and know-how of the medical field to develop its medical business. LINE Healthcare has offered chat-based medical consultation service since December 2019, allowing users to directly consult with doctors through the LINE app. Users can speak about their concerns before visiting a clinic in person, receive advice on how to look after themselves at home, and more. Since launch, the service has handled more than 300,000 consultations.
■ About M3, Inc.
M3 Group operates Japan's largest general medical information website, QLife, the AskDoctors consultation service, and other consumer solutions. Around 90% of Japanese clinicians (over 290,000 people) and over half of all pharmacists (over 190,000 people) are also members of the m3.com website.