A VIRTUAL visit to the doctor won't replace an in-person examination by a physician, but for minor ailments or preliminary evaluations, a new online medical service could prove helpful.

The program being offered by the Hawaii Medical Service Association, the largest health insurer in the state, will be open to anyone for a fee, with members paying $10 for a 10-minute, online consultation and nonmembers paying $45.

The service, set to begin next month, is no substitute for a real examination, but it will allow quicker access to health care for people who live in rural areas, those who have trouble getting to a doctor's office and to people without health insurance who can afford the small fee.

With physicians available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the online service also will allow patients to “;see”; their regular doctors for check-ups and provide help to people who have a hard time finding medical care.

HMSA stresses that the service is not a stand-in for full treatment or for serious illnesses or injuries, but could be useful for simple complaints.