Medical facilities have become more costly around the globe and the demand for digital solutions is booming. The expense of developing a healthcare app is rising in lockstep with the rest of the market. In the last ten years, development spending has risen massively and will continue to rise. These costs are increasing due to the time-consuming nature of health app development, compliance with various security regulations, and the constant proliferation of emerging technology. There is no one-size-fits-all method for implementing a development project. What counts is that the product addresses challenges for your company and adds value to your consumers. A medical application project may be completed with only one full-stack engineer.

Types of Healthcare Apps

The platform you use will influence your costs. Let us look at the most popular categories of healthcare apps and their key features.

• EHR stands for Electronic Health Record.

EHR programs were first developed in the 1970s, but it was not until recently that they were broadly embraced and assisted by smartphone applications. There are also problems with EHR adoption; for example, patients frequently encounter device glitches, which can have a detrimental impact on medical treatment. Because of malware attacks and general privacy issues, certain people chose to opt-out.

The selling of medical details to third parties is a significant issue that exists daily. Apps that enable patients to view and maintain their medical information are an exciting field for growth. Currently, only a few hospital apps have EHR control, but several people are interested in this functionality.

• Scheduling Appointments

The connection between doctors and patients is one of the most desired features for modern consumers. You may create an appointment scheduling program for a specific hospital or a whole region. Doctor accounts, a schedule with the ability to incorporate and change appointments, and payment processes would also need to be integrated. Notifications can also be sent out to inform consumers about upcoming appointments.

• Telehealth

Most people want the ability to speak with physicians in real-time without having to attend physically. Telehealth programs include all city dwellers with busy schedules and those who live in remote communities with little access to healthcare. Integration with a video chat client is needed to create a telemedicine app.

• Checker for Symptoms

It has become commonplace to look up symptoms on the internet. Moreover, it has become simpler and more reliable thanks to websites and smartphone applications supported by health researchers and practitioners.

• Mental Well-Being

Mental health apps account for a sizable portion of the health app industry. They will associate users with psychologists, give self-assessment quizzes, and monitor and evaluate health details.

Check: healthcare software development services

Healthcare app features 

• Profile of the consumer

Users may conveniently personalize their details or profile that is available to the public utilizing this tool.

• Dashboard for Users

The map and other statistics are readily visible to the customer and can be personalized based on their consumption details.

• Search bar

The consumer will use this feature to look up doctors and whatever else they want. Even the search box has auto-completion and feedback.

• Notifications 

This functionality reminds the consumer of their regular exercise schedule or medication dose.

• Mentoring via video

This functionality allows consumers of the mobile app to view all of the updates and live videos provided by doctors and clinicians in the areas of fitness, diet, wellness, Zumba, meditation, Yoga, and much more in real-time.

• Login/Signup

This functionality helps consumers to log in or sign up for the healthcare smartphone app using their email address or social networking profiles such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

• Chatbox

You will conveniently provide the users with a chat service with a licensed practitioner who would be accessible on the smartphone platform to provide useful consultation using this feature.

• Payment methods

Patients may pay their treatment charge directly from the smartphone thanks to an in-built payment processing mechanism in the healthcare mobile app.

• Tracking system

Users can conveniently monitor their health with this function by utilizing different elements on their wireless computers.

Healthcare app development cost

The cost to develop a healthcare app is on average $20,000– $25,000 not including post-launch maintenance and promotion. However, for complicated solutions, this number is insufficient.

An efficient health care smartphone app includes a wide range of functions. Besides, the expense of developing a healthcare mobile app is determined by a variety of variables, including the kind of mobile app you choose to develop and the functionality and functionalities you choose. The expense of creating a healthcare smartphone app is challenging to predict.

Additionally, the healthcare app development cost is determined by the device on which you choose to develop your mobile app (Android/iOS/Cross Web (Flutter)) and the region in which the custom mobile app development business is based. An app development company in the United States costs about $150–250 per hour, an app development company in Europe charges about $85–150 per hour, and an application development company in India charges about $15–$25 per hour.

Factors that influence different healthcare mobile app development prices

We’ve seen the different types of healthcare mobile applications. Well, the cost of developing these apps isn’t constant as it varies based on the factors below:

• The type of platform

You can select frameworks for either iOS or Android platforms. The type of platform selected requires different technologies, resources, time, features, and talent to build a useful healthcare medical app.

The prices will therefore vary. For instance, a native app will require approximately $400000 as compared to a hybrid healthcare app that will require approximately $600000 for the whole process.

• UX/UI Design

Depending on the aim of the healthcare app, the UX/UI designs will vary to meet the client’s specifications and to meet the user’s needs. The UX/UI, therefore, plays a crucial role in determining the features, resources, and technology to use to achieve a specific UX/UI design, thus affecting the overall cost of building such an app.

• Location of the development team

A healthcare mobile app developer in the US won’t charge the same as a developer from Asia or Africa. This is because of a number of elements, such as living standards, level of experience, among others.

Below is a simplified table showing healthcare mobile app development charges based on the location of the developers.

• Rules and Regulation

A healthcare medical app is a technical app that requires some measures put in place to ensure the patient’s data is secured. Besides, these regulations ensure the safely medical practices that ensure all patients are handled professionally. With this in mind, the apps require extensive features and application of complex technology to comply with the rules and regulations, thus affecting the overall costs of developing such an app. Here are some of these rules & regulations include the following:

• Ethical considerations

Issued by IMIA – international medical informatics association and WHO – world health organization, these rules and regulations for mobile apps help to monitor medical information and medical practices given to app users.

• Data protection and privacy

These are regulations put in place to enhance data protection and data encryption for all app users. Therefore, a healthcare medical app should comply with HIPAA-Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation guidelines.

Good read: GDPR vs HIPPA Compliance

• Advertising and marketing

All healthcare mobile apps should follow advertising and marketing rules to avoid spreading false or misleading information.

Wrapping up

When you have a clear idea about what you want your product to be, search for developers that have experience in the healthcare sector. Examine their holdings and do regular interviews with the team to ensure you are on the right track. Bear in mind that the overall cost of developing a healthcare app is determined by the kinds of apps you choose to create, the number of developers you hire, the production country, and the functionality you want in your app.

Healthcare Application Development FAQs

How can I know when a healthcare mobile app is successful?

You only have to study and understand the target audience, then include features and technologies that will enable your target audience to achieve their goals by using the app. Above all, make sure you hire the right development team for quality results.

What are the approximate charges of developing a healthcare mobile app per hour?

The cost of developing such an app varies based on a number of elements described in this guide. However, you can expect the charges an hourly range of $15 to $25 from Aalpha information systems.

If you are planning to build a healthcare mobile app then feel free to contact us.

Also check: medical software development process