Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Online Doctor Appointment Service ZocDoc Valued At $1.8B
Reuters: Digital Health Company ZocDoc Valued At $1.8B In Latest Funding
ZocDoc, which helps users book doctor appointments online, said on Thursday it raised $130 million in funding, valuing the U.S. digital healthcare company at $1.8 billion. The proceeds would be used to develop products and expand beyond its scheduling capability, the company said. ZocDoc, founded in 2007, is used by millions of people in all 50 U.S. states and covers 60 percent of the country's population. The New York-based startup also helps patients find in-network neighbourhood doctors and get reminders for upcoming appointments and check-ups. (Roy, 8/20)
Bloomberg: Google Glass Comes To Doctor's Office Near You As Upgrade Looms
A few weeks ago, a New Zealand doctor donned Google Glass and beamed video of an aortic surgery to the U.S. offices of medical device maker Endologix Inc. The test demonstrated the potential power of a technology that famously flopped with consumers but is quickly becoming a go-to gadget for the medical world. Google is expected to roll out a new version of Glass in the coming months, and medical device makers, hospitals and family doctors are eagerly anticipating improvements. These will probably include an adjustable eyepiece, longer-lasting battery and water-resistant properties, according to people familiar with the project. (Kharif and Womack, 8/20)
Bloomberg: The Startups That Give You A Second Opinion On Costly Surgery
In the window before his kids wake up and he has to go to work, Dr. Gregory Gebauer helps people he's never met avoid needless surgery. That's when the Florida spine surgeon reads charts and examines MRI or X-ray scans referred to him through a company called Grand Rounds, a San Francisco startup that promises to save employers money and help their workers find better care. He often finds that patients have been given an inaccurate diagnosis or recommended for an operation unlikely to help them. (Tozzi, 8/20)
