SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Doctor On Demand, the nation’s leading virtual care provider, today announced the launch of Synapse, a first-to-market fully-integrated platform that allows health plans and employers nationwide to deliver primary care coverage virtually for the first time. Synapse will integrate into health plans’ existing networks and provide patients with improved access to full mind and body care, inclusive of preventive health, chronic care, urgent care, and integrated behavioral health.
“The launch of Synapse marks a major milestone for Doctor On Demand and the larger telemedicine industry. We have developed the capabilities to use our national medical practice of dedicated physicians, supported by a fully-integrated and owned technology platform, to play a far greater role in addressing gaps in primary care,” said Hill Ferguson, CEO of Doctor On Demand. “We are thrilled to partner with health plans and employers to create entirely new plan designs and targeted programs that put the patient first and provide full mind and body care, something that isn’t available in the market.”
Research shows that healthcare outcomes and costs in the U.S. are strongly linked to the availability of primary care physicians and a continuum of care. Despite this, 30 percent of American adults and 45 percent of Millennials do not have a primary care physician. Over the next decade, this will be compounded by the expected physician shortfall of over 100,000 providers -- one third of whom are primary care physicians. With the population aging and the prevalence of chronic disease growing, enormous burdens on medicine, especially primary care, are rising.
Synapse by Doctor On Demand was designed to address these gaps in primary care, and meet the needs of the patient. There is a patient-driven demand for continuity of care and doctor-patient relationships within virtual care. Over 30 percent of patients who repeat visit with Doctor On Demand request to see the same physician. Through Synapse, Doctor On Demand can complement care for patients who have primary care physicians (e.g. by offering high-touch chronic care management, preventive care services, and coordinated behavioral health), and Doctor On Demand’s physicians can also serve as primary care physicians for the large and growing segment of Americans who lack access to primary care services.
With Synapse, health plans and employers will be able to link their existing networks and services with Doctor On Demand providers, and customize which parts of the platform they want to integrate into their larger ecosystem. Features of this new platform include:
- Digital Medical Home: Patients now have one, singular patient profile that houses all of their medical information, health records, and real-time health updates, including medical device connectivity with Apple Healthkit and Google Fit. Patients will be in control of their health data and able to share their profile in and out of the Doctor On Demand network.
- Expanded Clinical Capabilities: Doctor On Demand offers patient-centered care on demand or by appointment, delivered through video, voice, and messaging. Clinical capabilities are broadened to include a full suite of services: preventive health, chronic disease management, urgent care, integrated behavioral health, and more. Additionally, its Clinical Care Team will expand from board-certified medical physicians and psychiatrists, and licensed psychologists, to also include nurse practitioners, pharmacists, dietitians and care coordinators.
- Smart Referrals: The platform ensures that all member referrals, lab services, imaging and prescriptions stay in network. The platform also works existing providers and ecosystem partners to support complete patient health.
“We’re just starting the journey of revolutionizing healthcare and making it more accessible to people everywhere,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™. “Digital health innovations are changing our lives for the better and an innovative, virtual care solution will help solve many of the challenges in primary care and address the needs of patients, physicians, health plans, and employers.”
To learn more, visit www.doctorondemand.com/synapse.
About Doctor On Demand
Doctor On Demand, the nation’s leading virtual care provider, is reimagining what healthcare looks like for today’s world. Doctor on Demand’s nationwide healthcare platform puts the patient first by providing access to board-certified physicians, psychiatrists, licensed psychologists and a care coordination team via video visits, voice and messaging. Through its 5-star rated mobile application and website, consumers can access quality care in all 50 states with an average wait time of 5 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Doctor On Demand delivers services through employers, health plans, and directly to consumers. While insurance isn’t required, tens of millions of Americans enjoy covered medical and behavioral health visits, including full mind and body services: preventive care, chronic care, urgent care, and behavioral health.
Doctor On Demand’s mission is to improve the world’s health through compassionate care and innovation. It is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. To access Doctor On Demand, download the app (iTunes or Google Play) or visit www.doctorondemand.com.
