SkyMD San Diego

SkyMD began in 2018 as a dermatology telemedicine service and later added other medical specialties. It is the telemedicine arm of the Compass Biosciences medical group and is owned by dermatologist and dermatopathologist Dr. Antoanella Calame. The business says it is independently owned by a doctor rather than an investor-backed corporate company. Its diagnostic work is supported by Compass Dermatopathology, a San Diego laboratory that diagnoses skin diseases.

A visit can be started online from a desktop or smartphone, with no appointment needed. Patients complete a sign-up that asks for the service, specialty, visit details and medical history, then submit the visit for a doctor to review at any hour. Dermatology visits can be asynchronous, with photos reviewed by a doctor, and a video call is used only when the doctor or patient prefers one. Patients can message their doctor through the platform for up to seven days after an evaluation, and each visit includes a detailed report for future reference.

Services cover single acute problems, ongoing management of chronic conditions, and prescriptions and refills as needed. Dermatology conditions named include acne, eczema, psoriasis, hair loss, hyperhidrosis, nail problems, warts and skin discoloration, among others. Urgent care covers non-emergency issues such as migraines, sinusitis, urinary tract infections and strep throat, and pediatric consultations are available for children. Behavioral health visits are with a licensed therapist over a 50-minute video call. Cosmetic consultations are up-to-30-minute video visits that cover recommended services and products and what a patient should or should not expect to pay.

The business is clear about its limits. It does not handle true medical emergencies, which call for 9-1-1 or an emergency room. Telemedicine is not used to screen for skin cancer, so suspicious findings need an in-person visit and possibly a biopsy. Insurance coverage for online visits varies, so patients are advised to check their copayment for telemedicine. Patients with insurance can be billed through most major PPO and commercial plans, Medicare, Tricare, Medicaid and several HMO networks in select states, while those without qualifying coverage pay out of pocket. Support is available every day of the year by phone or email.

SkyMD describes a patient-first approach aimed at making treatment affordable and effective. Visits are mostly submitted for review rather than scheduled, with live video used when it suits the doctor or patient.