OnMed Unveils Prescription-Dispensing Telemedicine Kiosks and Files for IPO

VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) has learned that OnMed, a startup headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, launched its telehealth kiosk service model on March 13, 2019. Reportedly, these medical kiosks are capable of dispensing prescription medications.

After six years of development, OnMed has secured private equity financing. Its leadership team includes President and CEO Austin White, Board Chairman Leonard Solie, and Chief Technology Officer Ryan Brock from MD Plus. MD Plus is a telemedicine organization and OnMed’s sister company.

Each patented, HIPAA-compliant OnMed telemedicine kiosk features an examination room with switchable glass to ensure privacy, a lockable door, and UV lighting to eliminate airborne pathogens.

Furthermore, each telemedicine kiosk employs 3D facial recognition technology to identify patients. For patient consultations, OnMed’s kiosks are equipped with thermal imaging devices to measure body temperature and help identify sources of infection, along with tools for capturing height, weight, and blood pressure. Additionally, high-definition video and audio storage technologies within the kiosks ensure that physicians can remotely monitor patients’ vital signs online.

In a phone interview, Austin White explained that these telemedicine kiosks are primarily targeted at patients with non-life-threatening conditions such as colds, rashes, and low-grade fevers. He also stated that the kiosks can be used for general health and wellness programs.

“Beyond that, we have not attempted to replace the role of primary care,” Austin White added. However, patients do have the option to securely share their visit results with their primary care physicians.

Austin White also stated that OnMed will issue licenses to providers in every state where its telehealth kiosks are deployed. Furthermore, depending on the kiosk locations, the company may contract with nearby health systems that have their own telehealth programs, allowing their physicians to become OnMed providers. Austin White noted that the company is currently in discussions with several such groups, aiming to deploy its services in their respective states.

At the end of a telemedicine visit, patients can also receive prescription medications. Austin White explained that each OnMed medical kiosk is equipped with a locked pharmacy containing some of the most commonly prescribed drugs. The kiosks do not stock narcotics; all medications, which include antibiotics and antihistamines, are pre-packaged and labeled.

Regarding payment methods, OnMed Health Kiosks are contracted with most major insurance plans. In certain cases, Medicare and Medicaid may cover the visit costs, and patients can also pay using credit cards or cash.

OnMed stated that its telemedicine kiosks can be installed in airports, hotels, universities, hospitals, and at large private employers. Austin White said that the first two batches of projects will be deployed in northern Mississippi. In addition, OnMed has signed letters of intent with other customers in multiple states, with plans to launch new projects this year.

“OnMed’s ultimate goal is to provide affordable, high-quality healthcare services to everyone,” said Austin White.

(Compiled by Ning Chen)