CirrusMD

CirrusMD provides a virtual care platform with a "physician-first" model, designed to connect patients with a board-certified doctor in under 60 seconds. The company was founded in 2012 by Andrew Altorfer, Dr. Blake McKinney, and Elliot Sands. Dr. McKinney, an emergency physician, conceptualized the service after observing the long wait times patients faced in emergency rooms and realizing the efficiency of providing medical advice to friends and family via text message. This experience formed the foundation of CirrusMD's chat-based approach, aiming to make healthcare access as simple as texting a friend.

The company's business model is centered on partnerships with employers, health plans, and government entities, such as the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), to provide care for their members. Revenue is generated through a combination of a per-employee-per-month (PEPM) fee and an "Experience Fee," a flat rate that grants users unlimited physician consultations for seven days. This model is designed to align with value-based care, shifting away from traditional fee-for-service telemedicine. CirrusMD is exclusively offered through these partnerships and is available to nearly 10 million users across all 50 states.

The platform facilitates on-demand, text-first communication between patients and physicians but also supports sending images and conducting video calls. This creates a continuous dialogue, allowing for asynchronous conversations and follow-ups at the patient's convenience. The service covers a wide range of medical needs including primary, acute, and urgent care, as well as chronic condition management and behavioral health. A key feature is the integration of the sponsor's benefits information, allowing physicians to guide patients to in-network resources and other available benefits, thereby increasing their utilization. The platform also employs smart technology, including AI, to proactively surface potential health risks and assist physicians in identifying issues beyond the patient's initial complaint.

The founding team combines deep experience in medicine, finance, and technology. Dr. Blake McKinney, the Chief Medical Officer, served as a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps before attending medical school and has a background in emergency medicine. CEO Andrew Altorfer brought financial and strategic acumen from his time in investment banking at firms like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. This blend of expertise has guided the company's mission to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes by removing barriers to access. Since its inception, CirrusMD has raised a total of $47.6 million in funding over several rounds.

Keywords: virtual care, telemedicine, telehealth, chat-based healthcare, physician-first care, employee benefits, health plan solutions, virtual primary care, on-demand healthcare, digital health platform, chronic condition management, behavioral health support, patient engagement, healthcare access, medical chat, doctor on demand, employer health solutions, value-based care, benefits navigation, VA health chat, remote patient monitoring