How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App Like Patient Access?

Nidhi Thakur

23 Aug 2024

In the digital age, people expect healthcare services to be just a tap away on their mobile devices. As mobile users grow in number, so does the demand for convenient and efficient healthcare services. With the rise in chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular diseases, the market for healthcare apps is booming. Alongside this, the increasing use of IoT-connected smart devices is further accelerating this growth.

The digital health sector is growing rapidly, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.16% from 2024 to 2028. This rapid growth is propelling the healthcare app market to new heights. It is estimated that the healthcare app market will generate $193.70 billion by 2024 and expand to $275.00 billion by 2028.

Patient Access is leading the charge, setting the standard for healthcare apps. However, only a few players can deliver the fast, reliable, and feature-rich apps that users want. If you're considering entering this profitable market or enhancing patient care, creating an app like Patient Access could be a smart investment. However, creating an app like this demands a significant financial commitment. So, it is crucial to understand the costs involved in developing a Patient Access like app.

In general, the cost to develop a healthcare app such as Patient Access typically ranges from $30,000 to $300,000. This range varies based on key factors that influence the development process and total development cost.

In this guide, we will explore the factors that influence the total cost of patient access like app development.

Why is Patient Access a Leading App in Healthcare?

Patient Access is a leading mHealth app that connects patients to the healthcare services they need. Known for being an all-in-one platform, it simplifies tasks like booking appointments, finding local healthcare providers, and ordering medications. The app has set a new benchmark in healthcare app development by giving patients more control over their medical care and health journeys.

With more than 1 million downloads and a 4.8 rating on Google Play and the App Store, Patient Access is making healthcare more accessible. It bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers, offering easy access to NHS services, health information, lab results, and prescriptions. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface, robust security, and simple dashboard, which lead to higher patient engagement, satisfaction, and better health outcomes. Plus, it allows patients to consult a doctor without leaving the comfort of their homes.

Factors Affecting Patient Access App Development Cost

Several factors influence the cost of developing an app like Patient Access. Key elements to consider when estimating the cost include:

App Complexity and Features

The complexity and variety of features in a healthcare app like patient access play a major role in its development cost. Features like secure messaging, appointment scheduling, health record management, chatbots, integration with electronic health records (EHR), AI-driven health monitoring and telemedicine increase both the complexity and the cost. Each feature requires careful planning and robust security to protect patient data, along with seamless integration into a user-friendly interface—an effort that demands high expertise and extensive testing. The more advanced and feature-packed the app, the higher the cost required to make it both effective and reliable.

Platform Compatibility

The choice of platform and device helps determine the cost to develop healthcare apps like Patient Access. Developing a healthcare app solely for iOS or Android is generally more budget-friendly than creating a cross-platform app that runs smoothly on both. However, using cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter can help cut costs compared to building separate native apps for each platform. Additionally, ensuring compatibility across multiple devices, such as smartphones and tablets, further increases the project’s complexity and patient access app development cost.

Design and User Experience

One of the key factors in the success of a healthcare application is its ease of use. The design phase includes developing wireframes, prototypes, and the final UI/UX design. Investing in a well-thought-out user experience makes the application easier to use, though it does come with extra costs. Customizing designs and adding animations can raise costs, but they also enhance user engagement and satisfaction. A clean and clear interface design is key to higher usage rates and better customer retention.

The design development process involves collaboration between designers, developers, and healthcare professionals. They work together to create an effective and appealing interface layout. A user-centered design approach ensures that the app will be useful and engaging for the intended users.

Development Team Location

The location and size of your development team can greatly impact the cost of your project. Whether you work with freelancers, an in-house team, or outsource your project, location plays a crucial role in determining the budget. Cusotm software developers in countries like the UK, US, and Australia typically charge higher rates compared to those in Asia, where costs are typically lower.

Third-Party Integration

Adding third-party services such as payment gateways, EHR systems, or telehealth platforms can increase both development costs and timelines. These integrations often require extra development work and may involve licensing fees. Connecting the app with IoT-driven medical devices or wearables for data collection can further drive up the cost. According to Statista, 86% of US adults used wearables or wellness devices to achieve their health or fitness goals in 2023.

Safety and Compliance

When you're considering healthcare app development, it’s critical to check that the development company or service provider adheres to regional compliances, certifications, and legal standards. Regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, HL7, and PCI-DSS are critical for maintaining patient data security. While incorporating rigorous security features such as two-factor authentication and encryption may increase development costs and time, these measures are essential for upholding the highest standards of patient data confidentiality.

Maintenance and Updates

To ensure smooth operation and continued popularity of your healthcare app, constant updates and maintenance are required. This includes fixing any issues, introducing new features, and ensuring compatibility with the latest OS versions. These ongoing activities are a major component of the total cost of patient access app development. They not only help you stay competitive but also enable you to meet the changing needs of users and the broader healthcare landscape.

Must-Have Features of a Healthcare App like Patient Access

Healthcare apps like Patient Access offer a blend of essential and advanced features designed to enhance patient care, optimize daily workflows, and improve healthcare delivery. Here are some of the crucial features that make a healthcare app stand out:

User Authentication and Profile Creation

Creating a user profile is the first step in using a patient access app. This process involves verifying the user’s identity and collecting the necessary personal information, which allows healthcare providers to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to their medical records.

User authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication and biometric verification, are crucial for adding an extra layer of security. These features help reduce the risk of data breaches.

Appointment Scheduling

Appointment Scheduling is a key feature in healthcare apps that revolutionizes how patients handle their healthcare appointments. Patients can book, reschedule, or cancel their appointments with just a few taps. For healthcare professionals, this feature helps streamline appointment management, reduce administrative tasks and avoid scheduling conflicts. For patients, it enhances convenience and flexibility.

Prescription Management

Prescription Management is another essential feature for healthcare apps like Patient Access, myAster, or Doctor-On-Demand. This feature simplifies the prescription process by enabling healthcare providers to send ePrescriptions directly to pharmacies, reducing paperwork and minimizing prescription errors. Additionally, the app can send timely medication reminders to patients, ensuring they follow their prescribed treatment plans. This feature not only simplifies the prescription process but also supports patient adherence, leading to improved health outcomes and more effective treatment management.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine and Virtual Meetings bring a new level of accessibility to healthcare apps, allowing users to conduct online consultations with their doctors for non-emergency issues. This feature makes it easy for patients to receive professional health advice and follow-up care without leaving their homes. Patients can also follow up with their doctors and chat directly through the app. This feature ensures that they receive the guidance and support they need.

IoT-Enabled Remote Monitoring

Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology with patient access like apps allows remote vital health data monitoring. By connecting wearable devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches, the app collects vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep data. With this feature, early interventions are possible, and chronic conditions can be managed more effectively.

Healthcare Records and Medical Data

This feature offers a secure and user-friendly platform for storing and accessing essential health data. Patients can easily access and review their lab results, prescription histories, and vaccination records from a single, secure platform. This feature ensures patients stay informed about their health journey, while healthcare providers benefit from having a complete and up-to-date view of the patient's medical history. 

Billing and Payments

Patients can review detailed expense breakdowns and track their payment history, and receive timely reminders for upcoming bills, all from their mobile device. By eliminating the need for paper statements and in-person payments, it significantly reduces the complexity and inconvenience of traditional billing methods.

Alerts and Notifications

Push Notifications and Alerts feature keep patients connected and informed through their healthcare apps. This feature ensures that patients never miss important updates, such as upcoming appointments, vaccination dates, or personalized health tips.

How To Build An App Like Patient Access

Research and Planning Stage

The development of any digital solution begins with planning and market research. You need to clearly understand why you're creating the application, what issues it will address, and how it will operate.

Your healthcare app must align with your business objectives. Otherwise, the investment in development may not be justified. Additionally, analyzing competitors can help identify key features and understand the preferences of your target audience.

Consult a Healthcare Software Development Company

Consult a leading healthcare software development company with a proven track record of developing healthcare and medical apps for various clients. By utilizing their expertise, you can achieve outstanding results with mobile apps built on platforms such as Flutter or React Native, ensuring your app meets all your business objectives.

Design User-Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX)

For a healthcare app to be effective, its UI/UX design must be intuitive and user-friendly. This means the app should be simple, visually attractive, and easy to use for patients of all ages and varying technical skills.

Development Process

This stage involves developing both the front end and back end of a patient access-like app. 

Backend: The backend is the server side of the application that users don’t directly interact with. It manages data and ensures that the app operates smoothly. Backend development typically uses programming languages such as PHP, Java, and Node.js.

Frontend: The front end is the part of the app that users interact with, including the app’s design elements, navigation, and content. Front-end development typically involves languages such as JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.

App Testing

Thorough application testing ensures that the application is stable, secure, and free of bugs. It’s important to verify that all features function properly and the app is accessible through various devices.

Deployment

To ensure a smooth deployment across various platforms, the mobile app development team carefully follows the specific guidelines required for both iOS and Android. Additionally, developing a strategic launch plan is also crucial for generating buzz and excitement, helping your mobile app achieve instant downloads, signups, or subscriptions.

Monitoring and Maintenance

After the application’s launch, ongoing maintenance and comprehensive monitoring are essential to ensure smooth functioning and user satisfaction. Our development team is dedicated to assisting clients in maintaining the app's efficiency and resolving any issues promptly, ensuring it remains bug-free and delivers excellent results.

How Do Apps Like Patient Access Make Money?

Apps like Patient Access generate revenue through various methods, including:

Subscription Fees

This is one of the great ways to generate revenue. Apps like Patient Access app offer its users monthly or yearly plans to access the app's advanced features or services like specialized medical advice, priority scheduling for appointments, or detailed health tracking and analytics. These plans are designed for users looking for a more comprehensive approach to managing their healthcare.

In-App Purchases

In-app purchases are another way patient access apps drive revenue. Users can buy additional services, such as virtual consultations with doctors, medication delivery to their doorstep, or access to premium features like real-time health tracking and personalized recommendations. These purchases provide added convenience and enhanced care, directly within the app.

Advertising Models

Another common revenue model for patient access apps is advertising. These apps allow healthcare providers or pharmaceutical companies to display targeted ads to users. While this approach can be profitable, it's crucial to maintain a balance between monetization and user trust, ensuring that ads are relevant and respectful of users' privacy.

Pay-per-Service

Apps like patient access can make money by letting users pay only for the services they need, instead of a full subscription. This means you can use the app to book a doctor’s appointment, get a prescription, or access personalized health tips, and just pay for that service. It’s a flexible and affordable way to get the healthcare support you need, without any long-term commitment.

Data Analytics Services

Patient Access apps also generate revenue by providing anonymized data analytics to healthcare providers, researchers, or pharmaceutical companies, as long as they have proper consent and data privacy measures in place. This data helps in understanding patient behavior, tracking health trends, and enhancing healthcare services. By selling these insights, the app can support innovation in healthcare while maintaining user privacy, creating a win-win situation where data leads to better care.

How Can DITS Help You With Your Healthcare App Development?

DITS specializes in developing custom healthcare apps that align with your business's unique requirements. Our experienced team is dedicated to developing secure and scalable apps that prioritize data privacy and work seamlessly across different devices. We also offer integration services, connecting your app to existing systems like electronic health records (EHRs), which simplifies access to patient information for healthcare providers. Combined with our developers' expertise in the latest technologies, we ensure your app is not only robust and high-performing but also meets industry standards and regulations.

We offer:

• Data Privacy and Security
• Integration Services
• 24/7 Support
• Cross-platform Compatibility
• Customized Solutions
• Adherence to HIPAA, HL7, PCI-DSS, and GDPR Regulations

FAQs

What Are the Essential Features of a Healthcare App like Patient Access?

Patient Access, with its user-friendly interface, strong security, and advanced features, does more than just engage patients—it boosts their satisfaction and improves health outcomes. As digital transformation accelerates in healthcare, apps like Patient Access are leading the way, encouraging more efficient and patient-centric care from medical professionals.

What Is The Cost Of Developing An App Like Patient Access?

The cost of developing a healthcare app varies widely based on various factors, such as feature complexity, user interface design, integration with existing systems, data security requirements, and regulatory compliance. To sum up, the average cost to build a simple app starts from $30,000 and goes up to $300,000 for developing complex applications.

How To Build An App Like Patient Access?

To build a healthcare app like Patient Access, you need a team of experienced developers, designers, and healthcare experts. At DITS, we employ a thorough approach encompassing market research, design, development, testing, and deployment to deliver high-quality apps based on your business requirements. Reach out to us today to discover more about our process and how we can turn your healthcare app vision into reality.

How Long Does It Take To Develop An App Like Patient Access?

The time required to build an app like Patient Access depends on several elements, such as feature complexity, design revisions, system integration, and comprehensive testing. On average, the development process can range from 3 to 9 months.