Can a Telehealth-Enabled Gig-Model for EMTs Really Close Care Gaps for Vulnerable Pops in the Home?

How’s this new gig for community EMTs and paramedics? Three-year-old startup, MedArrive, is leveraging the excess capacity these local emergency services providers often have by putting them to work as “physician extenders” who provide on-site, in-home care (under the telehealth supervision of physicians) to vulnerable and underserved populations in Managed Medicaid plans, Medicare Advantage plans and ACOs.

MedArrive’s co-founder and CEO, Dan Trigub, breaks down the clever model, describing EMTs and paramedics as “one of the most underutilized resources in healthcare.” Not only are they highly-skilled he explains, but they’re also very cost-effective and located in every Community throughout the country. Around these in-home efforts, MedArrive wraps additional support from a team of social workers, case managers, nurse practitioners, and physicians. The sum-total of the services they provide addresses everything from chronic condition management and social determinants of health issues to diabetic retinal exams and longitudinal care – all in the home. Early outcomes data from their partnership with Molina Healthcare in Texas has already realized a 30% reduction in ER utilization and a 20% reduction in in-patient admissions.

MedArrive sells direct as a white-label service to Managed Medicaid plans and Medicare Advantage plans, already counting Centene in California and Superior Health Plan, the largest managed care organization in Texas with 1.6 million lives, as clients. So, what’s ahead for the start-up, which closed its $25-million Series A waaay back in November 2021? Dan gives us the scoop on plans for scaling, the inside story on their partnership with mental health startup Brave Health, and new move toward providing maternal care for the underserved market.

***
Jessica DaMassa, the emerging ‘It girl’ of health tech interviewing, chats it up with the ‘who’s who’ of the health tech and healthcare innovation set on 'WTF Health - What's the Future, Health?' Catch 100's of interviews with leading health tech startups and the VC investors, health insurance companies, big pharma co's, and hospital systems helping bring their new ideas into the healthcare establishment. From AI and Big Data to digital health, virtual care, telehealth, digital therapeutics, payment model innovation, and investing, Jessica helps you spot the trends and figure out what’s next.

"WTF Health - What's the Future, Health?" is sponsored in part by OneDrop, Pfizer, Wheel, Komodo Health, Crossover Health, 120/80 MKTG, & Bayer G4A.