Here we interview CEO Vijay Velu of Durham, NC-based MediBeam.
Their description: MediBeam enables life long monitoring of your own health data and vital statistics in partnership with your own doctor. In-home monitoring of health for the entire family is our specialty. We bring advanced technology into immediate use while emphasizing simplicity and regularity. With services available worldwide, we want to make in-home healthcare monitoring enjoyable and affordable.1. Tell us about the impetus to start MediBeam?
ANSWER: The United States lags substantially behind Europe and Japan when it comes to Telemedicine services - but not because of technology, but because of a complete lack of a national health vision. In countries such as India and certain Latin American countries, Telemedicine will reach national endorsement (i.e. multi-billion dollar spending) at a level that will mandate that all public health programs be accompanied by a defined Tele-health delivery system for outreach.
With over 49 million uninsured in the United States (and another 15 million under-insured!), few know what this means anyway), we have a crisis much larger than any other developed country when it comes to offering disease management programs for any one of the major known chronic diseases affecting our seniors : Diabetes, COPD, Alzheimers, Obesity. Coupled with a shortage of medical professionals (Physicians, Nurses, Technical, Managerial staff, medical technicians) with both Medicare and Medicaid programs at all levels severely stressed from a fiscal standpoint, only the astute use of technology with long term planning, government support and industry buy-in programs can alter the rapid decline in health services found in every State.
2. How are your current audience metrics, and what are you doing to drive traffic?
ANSWER: Most of our site visits have come from overseas visitors keen on obtaining information on the latest technology for telecare monitoring and also for our program that matches medical experts in the USA with overseas inquiries for expert opinions. Yes this is one of the few services that contributes to US exports!
3. How do you monetize the site?
ANSWER: We do not rely on advertising yet. Offering a robust Telemedicine services network in more than 70 countries is a costly and complex effort and we intend to partner with several Telecom providers to increase reach/frequency pilots.
4. Regarding audience, are you Direct-to-Consumer, working through partners on a private-label or other basis, or both?
ANSWER: We work primarily with partners e.g. Rotary International Clubs, MedicAlert, Airlines, Hotels, etc.
5. What do you have coming soon that we should know about?
ANSWER: Smart Homes for Seniors that are Telemedicine oriented in remote rural areas of North and South America.
We cover the key Online Health/PHR/EMR companies in our wiki; the entire list is here. Should we be covering your company? Email us at mattc [@] marketintellnow.com.
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