Vital Signs with Jacob Effron and Nikhil Krishnan

Jacob and Nikhil sit down with Dr. Rushika Fernandopulle. Rushika is the former CEO and Co-Founder of Iora Health, a primary care provider centered around value-based care and Medicare that One Medical acquired for $2.1 billion. They discuss why we’re still in the second inning of value-based care, intersections of tech and healthcare, what it takes for VBC to succeed, and more. [0:00] Intro[0:29] Early Days of Value-Based Care[2:34] Challenges in Commercial Value-Based Care[5:20] Adapting Care Models for Different Populations[13:08] Medicaid and Long-Term Care Issues[16:30] Big Tech's Foray into Healthcare[20:37] Amazon's Healthcare Strategy[21:09] Challenges in Serving Low-Income Seniors[21:43] Innovative Solutions for Patient Transportation[22:16] The Economics of Healthcare Visits[23:22] Building a Custom EHR System[27:34] The Role of AI in Modern Healthcare[33:17] Future of Primary Care and Policy Implications Out-Of-Pocket: https://www.outofpocket.health/

Frank Wu, Co-founder and CEO of Taro Health, shares insights on revolutionizing health insurance with innovative, patient-centered models. He delves into the Direct Primary Care approach that enhances patient-doctor relationships and simplifies payments. The challenges of enrollment and market strategies are discussed, along with the shifting dynamics in InsurTech. Wu also explores the potential of generative AI in transforming healthcare processes while balancing automation with the need for human interaction.

Jacob sits down with Erik Wexler, the President and CEO of Providence. Providence is a non-profit, faith-based health system with 51 hospitals and 1,000 clinics across seven states. They discuss how to think about new AI opportunities with discipline, the value of health system partnerships, programs to support health equity, and more.[0:00] Intro[2:07] Challenges and Opportunities with AI[3:38] Leadership and Organizational Focus[5:30] Whole Person Care and Health Equity[7:23] Financial Challenges in Healthcare[9:25] Collaborations and Partnerships[13:38] Innovations in Healthcare Delivery[15:12] Tech Integration in Healthcare[16:55] Choosing the Right Innovations[17:48] Policy Landscape and Concerns[19:33] Handling Wildfires and Crisis Management[21:59] Commitment to Climate Change and Sustainability[24:14] Health Equity and Community Investment[27:14] Challenges and Successes in Healthcare Innovation[29:18] Future of Healthcare and Final ThoughtsOut-Of-Pocket: https://www.outofpocket.health/

In this conversation, Daniel Perez, Co-founder and CEO of Hinge Health, shares insights from leading a digital clinic focused on joint and muscle pain, with over $800 million raised. He discusses the evolving landscape of employer health solutions and the importance of integrating digital and in-person care for patient engagement. Daniel emphasizes the significance of both software and hardware innovations, AI's role in automating healthcare, and the necessity for guaranteed outcomes amid regulatory challenges. His entrepreneurial advice offers valuable lessons for aspiring founders.

Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst and a leader in healthcare venture capital, shares insights on the future of health tech. He discusses the potential of creating a $100B healthcare company and the transformative role of AI in the industry. Hemant emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly through health system acquisitions, to foster innovation. He also explores how venture capital is evolving, the globalization of healthcare solutions, and the necessity for a collaborative ecosystem to tackle complex challenges.

Stef van Grieken, Co-founder and CEO of Cradle, spearheads AI innovations in protein engineering for drug development. They delve into the rapid growth of Cradle, fueled by a $100M funding round, and discuss the complexities of AI's integration into drug discovery. Stef highlights the challenges of selling SaaS to pharma and the critical need for effective lab automation. With insights into future trends, he explores what the next 25 years hold for biotechnology and the evolving landscape of AI-driven drug development.

Dr. Angela Fitch, Founder and CMO of knownwell, shares her expertise on obesity medicine, emphasizing the need for innovative care. She discusses the transformative potential of GLP-1 medications, highlighting their impact beyond obesity treatment to conditions like Alzheimer’s. The conversation also addresses challenges in insurance coverage and the importance of continuous and integrated care. Dr. Fitch advocates for recognizing obesity as a serious medical condition and stresses the necessity of creating a supportive environment for effective treatment.

Jacob and Nikhil sit down with Parth Mehrotra, CEO of Privia Health. Privia is a physician enablement platform partnering with 4500+ providers towards practice improvement and value-based care. They discuss the most important ways to manage risk, building effective physician enablement solutions, the future of value-based care programs & contracts, and more. [0:00] Intro[0:55] Privia's Business Model and Footprint[3:26] Physician Choices and Privia's Role[6:06] Evolution of Value-Based Care[8:42] Future Role of Payers in Healthcare[10:48] Choosing Geographic Markets for Expansion[11:53] Physician Enablement Market Dynamics[15:02] Influencing Practice Processes Without Ownership[18:52] Evaluating Value-Based Programs[21:47] Capabilities Needed for Risk-Based Contracts[24:28] Risk Pooling and Healthcare Economics[28:31] Future of Value-Based Care[31:40] Primary Care and Specialist Roles[36:18] Commercial vs. Medicare Value-Based Care[39:30] AI in Healthcare: Current and Future Applications[43:02] Quickfire Out-Of-Pocket: https://www.outofpocket.health/

Bryony Winn, President of Carelon Health and a leader in advanced primary care, shares insights on the evolving healthcare landscape. She discusses the critical role of payers in fostering effective provider partnerships and enhancing value-based care. Bryony highlights the challenges and innovations in integrating behavioral health and the significant impact of generative AI on operations. She also reflects on the importance of collaboration, especially in the context of mental health support for working parents, emphasizing a holistic approach to healthcare.

Jacob sits down with Kristina Saffran, the Co-Founder and CEO of Equip. Equip delivers at-home, virtual eating disorder treatment for both adolescents and adults. They discuss Kristina’s journey to founding Equip, getting payors on board, evidence-based treatments for eating disorders, and more. [0:00] Intro[1:06] Kristina's Personal Journey[3:27] Founding Project Heal [4:07] Challenges in Eating Disorder Treatments [5:15] The Role of Evidence-Based Treatments [6:40] Transition to Venture-Backed Startup [13:33] Virtual Care Model for Eating Disorders [17:23] Adapting Treatment for Different Populations [22:42] Working with Insurance Companies [24:37] Equip's Year-Long Care Program [25:15] Challenges in Operationalizing Innovative Payment Models [28:21] Patient Archetypes and Outreach Strategies [32:41] Provider Education and Partnerships [34:16] Growth and Future Plans for Equip [39:07] The Role of Peer Support in Treatment [43:05] Quickfire Out-Of-Pocket: https://www.outofpocket.health/