July 7, 2021 | by Yitzchak David
The COVID-19 pandemic supercharged the emphasis of virtual healthcare as the rapid expansion of digital approaches into the sector’s service-delivery model becomes more crucial. It has also catalyzed the movement of virtual-first care which considers onsite or in-office care to be the back-up option.
During its Virtual Firsts Symposium, HITLAB took the opportunity to sit down with IMPACT co-founder Don Jones and Oshi Health’s CEO Sam Holliday to talk about a virtual service delivery utilizing a bundled service model within gastrointestinal space.
A Full–Stack Approach to Care
When asked to define virtual–first care, Mr. Jones explained it as an organizational approach that is structured in such a way that it delivers everything “virtually first for the consumer before defaulting to bricks and motar.” For Oshi Health, Mr. Holliday explained this means being the first virtual “full–stack” clinic—from backend networking to a user-friendly interface—for GI disorders.
Oshi’s full stack approach within a bundled virtual healthcare delivery model means directly employing a team of professionals and specialists—gastroenterologist, nurse practitioners, health couches, psychologists, counselors, and specialized dieticians—to provide comprehensive care for each client. Oshi’s model strives to provide as many services possible virtually prior to making a referral for in-person care in a client’s local market.
Virtual-first care is an organizational approach that is structured in such a way that it delivers everything “virtually first for the consumer before defaulting to bricks and motar."
Boutique Care Gone Virtual
By utilizing a boutique approach in the digital sphere, Oshi is seeking to disrupt this area of the healthcare space by taking an “all-human systems approach” by providing services, which address both physical and psychosocial needs. By doing so, Oshi has been able translate consumer healthcare through virtual means. However, the company has encountered obstacles along the way.
The Absence of National Regulations Slows Rollout
Boutique care can be a costly endeavor. Oshi’s model requires a state-by-state approach in order to comply with the legal and regulatory requirements that come along with running a medical practice. Additionally, with over 3,000 private and governmental insurers nationwide, payer agreements with each entity are an additional challenge that Oshi must take on. Despite this, Oshi delivers care to consumers and charges a flat monthly fee with a constant eye for reducing overall costs.
CEO Sam Holliday noted that its care delivery model is a unique because, “not being tethered to fee-for-service incentive structures, which orient toward procedures and medication infusions as the way to make money,” allows for Oshi to look at the full spectrum of patient needs.
About the Author
Yitzchak David is a Research Nurse and health tech enthusiast with interests in biotechnology and digital health. Yitzchak has a Masters in Health Policy and Management from New York Medical College as well as undergraduate degrees in Political Science from Rutgers University and in Nursing from Farleigh Dickinson University.
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