Portfolio News

6 ways to increase ICU capacity amid COVID-19

Judging from the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., April will see ICU capacity strained in many regions of the country. It’s already begun in New York City, Seattle, New Orleans, and elsewhere. Health care CEOs are trying to figure out how to increase intensive care unit capacity, whether through internal or external resources, traditional or non-traditional methods. “The biggest shift we’re seeing is health systems beginning to transform their facilities to become ICUs,” said Amwell President and CEO Roy Schoenberg, MD. “I can’t think...

Q&A: How can telehealth help lower risks during a public health crisis?

Virtual care delivered through a computer, phone, or tablet can be a helpful tool in controlling infectious diseases. With the outbreak of COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has expanded telehealth coverage for Medicare recipients, and the Department of Health and Human Services is also permitting medical professionals to temporarily practice virtual care across state lines to help address COVID-19-related emergency needs. American Well, now known as Amwell, is seeing a substantial increase in patient traffic to its telehealth application. Dr. Peter Antall, chief...

Aledade Empowers Primary Care ACOs With Updox’s Telehealth Virtual Office Visits

Aledade has announced an arrangement with telehealth platform Updox to offer a comprehensive telehealth solution to Aledade’s national network of physician-led accountable care organizations. “While our partner physicians across the country manage an unprecedented publica health crisis, they are encouraging their patients to stay home and stay safe to minimize the spread of the novel coronavirus. But elderly and high-risk patients still need access to primary care. That’s why we are working with Updox to roll out increased telehealth services to help expand access and keep...

#allinseattle Raises $27M to Provide Immediate Assistance for People Impacted by COVID-19

Today, an initiative, #allinseattle, launched with more than $27 million in pledged donations from individuals and entities to local organizations directly working with people affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The group is calling on others in the region, as well as community and business leaders across the country, to donate to organizations helping people in their communities get the support they need to get through this time. The #allinseattle group is working to identify organizations with minimal overhead that are on the ground now, whether they’re...

The DTC coronavirus home test kits are here

The process of COVID-19 testing is already overwhelming the U.S. health care system, tech companies are using their infrastructure to make testing accessible to more people. Health startups EverlyWell, Nurx, and Radish announced their own versions of at-home testing kits, while Hims launched a COVID-19 screening as part of its telemedicine offerings. EverlyWell’s test costs $135. Nurx says its newly added coronavirus testing kit and consultation fee is covered by most insurance providers. Radish says it won’t be keeping profits from its $100 test, but instead...