Insurance company UnitedHealthcare is providing people online access to a physician via mobile phone, tablet or computer 24 hours a day.

The company will offer patients with new network of care providers that will provide video-based virtual visits.

This will enable UnitedHealthcare plan participants to see and speak with a doctor using real-time audio and video technology.

They can easily obtain a diagnosis and any necessary prescriptions for minor medical needs including allergies, skin rashes, colds and coughs.

Usually people wait have to wait for long when they need to see their physician in person. However, this new live service would allow them to receive care early, which would ultimately prevent an expensive catastrophe.

According to Dr. Tania Elliott, an allergist with Doctor on Demand, through the app, patients with a rash show can show their symptoms in the moment and not a week later.

The company's has a goal to cover all or part of the cost of these e-visits for up to 20 million customers by 2016. Three mobile-doc startups, Doctor on Demand, NowClinic and Amwell are the initial providers.

Karen Scott, who directs innovation initiatives at UnitedHealthcare, said that the company is studying cost. He said, "What happens if somebody is more likely to use virtual care? Maybe they would have gone in to urgent care. How many of them will choose the virtual visit instead?"

The company pointed out as part of its coverage for the service, the average price of a video visit is less than $50.

UnitedHealthcare's plan participants pay a portion of the cost for the virtual visit, subject to deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses based on their specific benefit plan.