Ex-Apple CEO John Sculley Bets on Web Healthcare With MDLive

Sculley has an undisclosed stake and sits on the board of directors of Florida-based MDLive, a company that provides patients with remote access to a licensed physician. Sculley said he sees telemedicine and online mental health services "going mainstream" in coming years.

On Tuesday, MDLive acquired Silicon Valley-based startup Breakthrough Behavioral, expanding its portfolio of services to include life-coaching, behavioural health and add a network of mental health professionals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

On MDLive's mobile app and website, patients can consult a doctor for $49 per visit. MDLive claims its network of board certified physicians can treat a variety of ailments, such as allergies, infections and sports injuries.

Breakthrough's Web service helps patients in 10 states across the United States speak with a mental health professional on a secure video call. It provides an alternative to an in-person visit to the therapist's office.

Sculley, who was also president of PepsiCo, was influential in getting the deal done. In recent years, he has been making strategic investments in a range of health-technology startups, including MDLive and wearables company Misfit.

Telemedicine is increasingly perceived by employers and the government as a means to cut health costs, Sculley said. In addition, states have been requiring that private insurance plans cover telemedicine services.

A recent report from Towers Watson found that telemedicine could deliver more than $6 billion in annual health care savings to U.S. companies.

© Thomson Reuters 2014