I'm thrilled to see @peerwell among a group of start-ups that saw a "tsunami" of growth in 2020. Thx to @yangbness1 for the shout out & @shelbyjLiv for including us.  https://www.businessinsider.com/healthcare-startups-poised-to-take-off-according-to-top-vcs-2020-12#peerwell-26 Below are some thoughts on why MSK and why now:

First, it’s been known that MSK costs are crazy but spread across a lot of treatment options. Big-ticket items like surgery (TKA, THA, ACDF, LF) are easier to spot than redundant MRIs, years of injections & PT, opioid refills.

Electronic medical records, data analytics, and new payment models have helped surface more costs that are attributable to MSK conditions as a whole, not just surgeries and their respective DRGs.

Second, technology is proving you can treat MSK issues as effectively with hands-off approaches as traditional, purely hands-on approaches.

Everyday devices can be used to help people dealing with lower and higher acuity MSK needs with a mix of telehealth, remote monitoring, and home-based, evidence-driven programs.

Finally, the pandemic forced a behavior change in the population whereby patients, struggling with pain but scared to go to in-person appointments, tried remote-first options like @PeerWell and other digital health services such as @carebyginger, @TrustSitka, @everly_well.

Once the convenience and & effectiveness are experienced by the person in need, it’s hard to go back. I'm excited about the opportunity to serve more people in 2021. I'm even more excited to witness the transformation of healthcare delivery.

The changes taking place now will determine how I will receive treatment, as will my parents and my children. We're solving for multiple generations simultaneously. We've got a lot to do, but its worth doing.

Thank you.