Networks

Introduction

I launched my Health 2.0 site called FairCareMD last year. I also have founded two other successful startups, helped run a few companies, was a consultant for IBM, and published 5 scientific papers. I live in Long Island with my wife and two kids.

What topic would you like to see discussed at the New York Healthcare Meetups?

Whatever the consensus requests. This is your meetup. My original answer is below, but I know more about this topic now than pretty much anyone, I leave it for historical reference only 2009 answer: "Increased medical pricing transparency and widely available provider quality indicators - have these movements changed how consumers seek care? If so, why does it matter and what is next?"

Tell us about your view and contributions (past, present or future) to healthcare innovation

Healthcare administration is overly complicated. I have strived since 1996 to improve the lot of physicians trying to just practice medicine to the best of their ability, creating solutions that make their lives simpler and get them paid reasonably and with greater speed. My first startup was an evidence-based expert system that got doctors paid by reluctant insurance companies. Next, as CIO / Product Development leader for the company that bought my startup, the largest PPM in the New York area, I drove innovations daily for over 230 physicians. Next, I moved to consulting, first at IBM and later for Pinnacle Consulting, where we designed, developed, and implemented IT solutions for the myriad challenges of Hospitals around the world. Along the way I also was the founding CTO for the company that put cell phones and QR / barcodes together, Scanbuy.com (download the ScanLife app, it is really cool). My current company, FairCareMD is disintermediating healthcare.

What is your company and what do they do. What is your role there?

I founded and serve as CEO of FairCareMD.com. Our site allows Patients and Providers to directly contract for care. Think comparison shopping for healthcare where patients can compare quality, price, and convenience, sacrificing nothing. Physicians, Dentists, Rehab centers, Urgent care centers, Walk-in clinics, Surgical centers, Hospitals, and providers from over 186 specialties can reach out to patients and reduce their cost of doing business by up to 40% by going direct as well. Even Employers and insurance plans do better when people can shop for care - it is a true Win Win Win Win for healthcare innovators and patients. Visit FairCareMD.com today and get or give care for fees that are fair!

What are your goals for joining this group and how can we help you achieve them?

When I first joined in 2009 I knew no one in the industry and lacked some basic knowledge about it, having been out of it for 8 years. I had spent a few months reading every trade journal and immersed myself in the study of healthcare, but didactic knowledge only went so far. I came to a meetup and started to meet the excellent people of the group, which was much smaller then. In June of 2010 Eugene Borukovich, our founder, asked me to watch the group for the Summer. It went pretty well and about a year later he asked me to run it as the official Organizer. My goal for the group is to let it be our platform for discussion and engagement around innovation in healthcare. The events are user-generated, meaning that we do what you tell us to do. If you want to talk about gameification or feedback loops, great. If you want to talk about social media, we will throw up a panel. If you want to get funded, we can work on that. Help us by engaging and tell us what you want to see!

Link

FairCareMD

Additional Information

"FairCareMD is free for Patients and almost free for Providers. Now with employer and payer cost reduction programs too! Call (954) FAIR-CARE for more info."

What Alex Fair is saying about this Meetup Group

What I said after attending an event or two, "A well moderated discussion of trends helps fuel the engine of change and we all know healthcare needs change. This meetup is well run by Eugene and has gained critical mass, becoming a truly useful meeting." Thanks Eugene for entrusting your creation to me!