In a significant move to expand its telehealth capabilities, virtual care company eVisit has acquired tele-consult technology from UPMC. This acquisition aims to enhance eVisit’s ability to serve health systems across both ambulatory and inpatient care settings. Although financial details were not disclosed, UPMC Enterprises, UPMC’s innovation and venture capital arm, made an undisclosed investment in eVisit. Complementing this, MedStar Health also invested in the company, adding to the $45 million Series B funding eVisit raised in 2021 led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
Expansion of Teleconsult Technology
The acquisition centers around a teleconsult technology developed by UPMC in 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, designed to allow virtual clinical specialists to consult with bedside clinicians regarding inpatient care. UPMC has since expanded this technology across various clinical domains including stroke, neurology, critical care, psychology, and toxicology—delivering around 40,000 consults and reducing wait times by 92%. UPMC had initially developed this platform internally due to the lack of satisfactory commercial solutions, underscoring the technology’s importance and efficacy in clinical settings.By integrating this versatile and proven technology, eVisit aims to enhance its service offerings and streamline healthcare delivery in both ambulatory and inpatient settings. The enhanced teleconsult capabilities are not only expected to reduce patient wait times but also to improve access to specialized care, particularly crucial during emergencies. The adoption of UPMC’s platform into eVisit’s existing virtual care ecosystem marks a pivotal step in broadening the scope and efficiency of telehealth solutions, setting new standards for patient care quality and accessibility.Collaborative Efforts with UPMC and MedStar Health
Both UPMC Enterprises and MedStar Health will engage in co-development initiatives with eVisit and provide advisory support. UPMC will offer technology advisory expertise while MedStar Health provides ongoing clinical expertise, product development, and go-to-market advisory services. Notably, Andrew R. Watson, M.D. from UPMC and Ethan Booker, M.D. from MedStar Health will join eVisit’s clinical advisory board. This collaboration aims to ensure the successful integration of technology with the clinical demands and market needs of modern healthcare.For eVisit, these partnerships will play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of healthcare delivery. By leveraging the knowledge and experience of these established entities, eVisit plans to create a more cohesive and scalable virtual care platform. This initiative will also benefit from the alignment of strategic goals, resulting in innovations that address pressing healthcare challenges. The inclusion of expert advisory support ensures that the technology remains cutting-edge and relevant, directly impacting the efficacy of patient care protocols.Impact on Healthcare Delivery
In a strategic initiative to broaden its telehealth services, virtual care company eVisit has acquired tele-consult technology from UPMC. This acquisition is designed to boost eVisit’s capabilities in delivering care across both outpatient and inpatient settings. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it is known that UPMC Enterprises, the innovation and venture capital division of UPMC, made an unspecified investment in eVisit. Complementing this, MedStar Health also invested in the company. This follows eVisit’s previous $45 million Series B funding round in 2021, which was led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management. This series of investments underscores the growing interest in virtual healthcare solutions and positions eVisit to significantly impact the telehealth industry through enhanced technological offerings. The move signals a broader trend of healthcare providers investing heavily in telehealth infrastructure, aiming to meet increasing patient demand and improve accessibility across various care settings, both ambulatory and inpatient.
