There is greater awareness that the health needs of the LGBTQIA+ community (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, allies) cannot be always adequately addressed by mainstream health organizations.
That led to the launch of Folx Health in December 2020, which offers digital health services to that population through its diverse network of trans and queer-specialized providers. “Folx,” a derivative of folks, is used to specifically include traditionally marginalized groups. The Boston company provides end-to-end primary care in addition to offering PrEP medication to patients to prevent those at risk of HIV from getting it, treatment plans for gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy and erectile dysfunction, as well as offering overall care navigation.
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Liana Douillet Guzmán is taking over Thursday as CEO of Folx Health and aims to scale its services to all 50 states. Guzmán responded to questions about the company and its goals via email. The exchange has been edited for clarity.
MedCity News: What makes Folx unique?
Guzmán: Folx is the first and only LGBTQIA+ digitally native healthcare platform that is created by and for the Trans and Queer community, providing a new and accessible place for expert, affirming healthcare.
MedCity News: What has Folx already achieved?
Guzmán: Since it was founded, Folx has raised nearly $30 million in funding and launched its services in 35 states. It has launched a HRT Care Fund, which provided 100 grantees a year of inclusive care with 75% of grants dedicated to BIPOC [Black indigenous people of color] individuals, launched its first employer partnerships, and helped thousands of trans and queer people receive the affirming and reliable care they deserve.
MedCity News: Can you speak more about how LGBTQIA+ needs are currently unmet and how Folx addresses this?
Guzmán: Queer and trans folx are not accounted for in the primary healthcare model. With Folx, we are creating a transparent, reliable, and safe experience for queer and trans folx to get the care they need. Folx’s team of clinicians are all gender-affirming and well-versed in the needs of the community, eliminating the awkward, sterile interactions queer people may typically encounter with a heteronormative healthcare provider.
MedCity News: Can you share about Folx’s target market as well as the cost of Folx’s offerings?
Guzmán: Folx Health was founded to build a health care platform that celebrates and supports the agency and autonomy of LGBTQIA+ people. Our memberships start at $89/month and include expert telehealth visits, unlimited messaging with our care team, medications and supplies shipped straight to our members’ doors, automated prescription refill and lab reminders, letters for name change and/or gender marker change, and access to the broader Folx community. Members can choose to have their Folx medications shipped directly to them or to pick them up at a local pharmacy, following virtual appointments with our clinicians.
MedCity News: What services are virtual versus in-person?
Guzmán: With the exception of labs (which we administer via a partnership with Quest Diagnostics), the Folx experience is virtual, meaning our members can get the care they need and deserve from the comfort of their own home or on the go.
MedCity News: What are the next steps for Folx?
Guzmán: We want to continue to build on our early success by expanding coverage to all 50 states, providing greater flexibility to our members, continuing to invest in our primary care offering, launching additional employer partnerships, and expanding into new offerings to better meet the needs of our members. I believe we can become the preeminent healthcare platform for the LGBTQIA+ community and change the healthcare industry in the process.
Photo credit: bojanstory, Getty Images
