Medici, an Austin-based startup that helps patients communicate with their doctor through text, video and photo, plans to rapidly expand into 10 to 12 new states, the United Kingdom and South Africa, the company's founder said Monday.
"We're going where we have strong relationships, and we plan to be as global as WhatsApp in the months and years to come," Medici Founder and CEO Clinton Phillips told Austin Inno.
The news comes on the heels of last week's $24 million funding announcement. The company did not disclose who provided the investment.
Medici, which came out of stealth mode in October, is a HIPPA-compliant app that helps patients discuss health issues with doctors, therapists, vets and more.
It's part of an increasingly crowded telemedicine market, and it's seeking to edge out competition by letting patients connect with their existing doctors instead of on-call professionals. Users can download the app and send a request to their doctor to connect. Medici's staff follows up to help doctors with any questions about HIPPA compliance or other privacy issues.
The company launched its app in Austin and has since expanded to different markets in Texas. Now, it's forming relationships with healthcare providers and other partners. The startup's Austin headquarters is home to 13 workers, including its CTO, CFO, CEO and head of mobile security.
In addition to connecting with your personal doctor, dentist or other professional, the Medici app has a "Doctor of the Day" feature that allows app users to discuss common topics, such as Zika and insomnia, with featured doctors. And it allows clients to select a Medici doctor if their personal doctor isn't available.
Phillips said telemedicine has been a hot issue in Texas, where the Texas Medical Board has shown skepticism about allowing patients and doctors to connect, diagnose and prescribe treatments online without first having an in-person visit. Currently, doctors and patients must have a face-to-face meeting before web- or phone-based treatment and prescriptions can be provided.
The issue is likely to reemerge in January when the Texas Legislature meets to discuss new laws.
"Our model is greatly preferred because we're connecting doctors with the patients they already have," Phillips said.
