The new Walsh community development in far west Fort Worth near Aledo is aiming to be the kind of place that meets all the residents’ needs. Walsh already has high-speed internet included with the homeowners’ association membership, as well as amenities available to all residents like parks, schools, and a village market. Now the community is getting one more feature: a telehealth resource that’s exclusive to homeowners’ association members. 

The telehealth program allows members of the Walsh homeowners’ association to speak with a Texas board-certified physician through online video or phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for $8 a month. A telehealth conference is most appropriate for non-emergency care.

Texas governor Greg Abbott recently signed a law promoting fewer restrictions for telehealth medicine. Such programs are already in existence in much of the nation, such as Doctor on Demand, often working with health insurance providers because such care can be very cost-effective.

A dedicated HOA portal allows Walsh residents to sign up, and services are administered by New Benefits, a provider of non-insured benefit programs. At $8 a month for a family membership (less than $100 a year), residents also receive health advocacy benefits to help them navigate complex healthcare and insurance systems.

Developers are also pursuing a telemedicine program that would allow nurses at Aledo ISD schools to connect with pediatric doctors at Cook Children’s Medical Center in downtown Fort Worth.