US telehealth platform secures US$7m to ‘transform’ OB-GYN care

The telehealth platform Almond has raised US$7m in seed funding to modernise obstetrical-gynaecological care.

Almond, a California-based women’s health company, aims to offer telehealth and flexible office visits on topics such as pregnancy planning, birth control counselling, infections, period management, sexual health and general wellness.

Evidence suggests that telehealth provides comparable health outcomes when compared with traditional methods of health care delivery without compromising the patient–physician relationship and could enhance patient satisfaction and improve patient engagement.

Obstetrician–gynaecologists and other physicians who practice telehealth have to make sure they have the necessary hardware, software and reliable, secure internet connections to ensure quality care and patient safety.

Adopting such an approach would modernise the OB-GYN care system in the US where 75 per cent of women are dissatisfied with their care, according to a 2020 report published in the Commonwealth Fund.

The specialty is the second-largest specialty by spend, right after primary care.

“The patient experience today is slow, it’s incomplete, and ultimately it’s delivering not great outcomes,” co-founder Tara Raffi, told TechCrunch.

“We are under-delivering as a country. Almond is coming in and modernising the OB-GYN office.”

Users will be able to purchase an annual subscription that will give them access to the company’s platform, care team and personalised plans.

Prior to the appointment, patients have to fill out a health questionnaire detailing the reasons for their visit. They also have the possibility of scheduling next-day telehealth appointments if they can’t attend in person.

The average cost for a general OB-GYN visit in the US can range anywhere from US$90 to US$500, according to UCLA Health.

Almond aims to make care more affordable and extend its services to include abortion and reproductive care, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade in June.

“The overturning of Roe is a reminder that women still aren’t given the right to be decision-makers of their own bodies. That is infuriating,” said Raffi.

The round led by True Ventures will help the company grow the practices’ staff and develop and expand its platform.

Last month, the US telehealth platform Wisp also announced expanding its abortion care services, becoming the largest, most accessible medical abortion provider in the country.