Entrepreneurs Guy Friedman, above, and his partner L.A.-based Yarone Goren have developed a simple solution to one of the most debated issues in Washington—healthcare. About 8 months ago the entrepreneurs launched SteadyMD, personalized primary care accessed online.
Friedman sold Higher Next, a proctoring app developed for online education sites, just before he and his wife Laura Horowitz (co-founder of WeStories) left Philadelphia for St. Louis (her hometown) following the birth of their second child.
Friedman found space at the CWE’s TechArtista where he continued working for Higher Next while he and his partner brainstormed their next idea. The process began with a few questions, “Where’s the pain? Where can we add value? And how can we make it 10 times better?” The answer was healthcare. “Healthcare is the most complex business in the world,” acknowledged Friedman. “In addition, our healthcare is geared toward acute urgent care, not preventative care.”
Since it launched, many primary care doctors have joined SteadyMD and hundreds of patients have signed up. Friedman explained its appeal, “SteadyMD delivers white glove, concierge-type treatment, and makes healthcare super simple. It appeals to people of all ages (the average age is 40), unusual for concierge service which usually attracts older patients who can afford it.” By the way, people on Medicare can also choose a primary care physician through SteadyMD, and its available to anyone in the U.S.
For a fee of $79 to $99 per month (with a 12-month commitment), a video camera and microphone on your computer, patients can get instant access with their primary care physician via video chat any time they want. There are no co-pays. Physicians can fill prescriptions and order necessary tests in local labs. Note: you must have separate healthcare coverage for emergencies and hospital care.
From the website: Your SteadyMD doctor is perfectly aligned with your life, passions, and goals. A doctor who “gets you.”
Here’s how it works: After you sign up and choose a primary care doctor, you schedule your first appointment. During the hour-long visit your doctor will get to know your background, family history, and any health issues.
photo from SteadyMD website
Here is a partial list of the physicians who are connected to SteadyMD. There are doctors who specialize in general health issues, such as asthma and diabetes, women’s health, fitness and nutrition, body building, running, or weight training. There are also physicians who have experience with the LGBTQ community.
Friedman continued: “Someone in rural Oregon who runs 100 miles a week may not be able to find a doctor who understands his/her needs, or a patient in a small town may not be able to find a doctor who has experience with LGBTQ.
Doctors are happy with SteadyMD because they don’t have to worry about insurance, billing, and the pressure of seeing x amount of patients in private practice or a hospital, where they cannot get to know their patients as well. “Primary care doctors spend 50% of their time on insurance issues and are squeezed by the demands of private practices and incentivized to see as many patients as they can,” said Friedman. SteadyMD eliminates that pressure.
As we concluded our interview, Friedman said that a great way to recognize the value of his program is to realize how long it takes to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician vs. having instant access via SteadyMD. To learn more visit the website, or email Guy Friedman at [email protected] to schedule a visit.
I’m constantly struck by how much creative genius that we know nothing about comes out of St. Louis, so I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about one of our local entrepreneurs.