Health IT, Startups

MDs, AT&T alum look to test the market for virtual concierge care in California via crowdfunding

When it comes to crowdfunding in healthcare, consumer-facing devices have generally had the most success […]

When it comes to crowdfunding in healthcare, consumer-facing devices have generally had the most success in the way of raising a lot of money, often for prototypes and testing. But telemedicine startup PlushCare’s Indiegogo campaign illustrates another potential sweet spot for crowdfunding in digital health — as an early way to validate a business concept and explore the market for a service-based business.

Founded by two young doctors out of Stanford and the former head of strategy for AT&T’s mobile health platform, PlushCare connects consumers with physicians by email, phone and video for non-urgent care.

Co-founder Ryan McQuaid, the AT&T mhealth alum, told Health 2.0 that the team is using Indiegogo not only for funding but as a way to validate the idea, secure beta users and learn how, why and when those people use PlushCare. With that feedback, the company would be better able to position itself in the telemedicine market, which is crowded but still in its infancy, especially on the direct-to-consumer front.

With 10 days to go, the startup is nearing its $25,000 fundraising goal. Two funders have contributed $1,000 for a perk that provides PlushCare services for to up to 15 employees, and more than 40 have claimed perks for individual or family packages.

The idea is to unclog primary care physician offices and make routine care more convenient for consumers. For $10 a month, users can email the PlushCare physicians, Drs. James Wantuck and Beau Brinckehoff, or schedule an appointment for a phone call or video chat about a non-urgent health concern (cold/flu symptoms, allergies, rashes, etc.). Using the secure platform, the physicians can answer everyday concerns, make specialist referrals, and order prescriptions and lab tests, the company says.

For now, the San Francisco-based company is marketing only to California residents, as that’s where its physicians are certified to practice.

[Image credit: PlushCare]

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