Cleveland Clinic, American Well Partner to Launch Digital Health Company
New joint venture, The Clinic™, to distribute comprehensive health services through virtual visits
Cleveland Clinic and American Well® are partnering on a first-of-its-kind initiative to provide broad access to comprehensive and high-acuity care services via telehealth. Together, the organizations will form a Cleveland-based joint venture company, named The Clinic™, which will offer virtual care from Cleveland Clinic’s highly specialized experts through American Well’s well-established digital health technology platform.
The two companies, which bring scale and industry-leading clinical and technological expertise to this long-term effort, are focused on leading the industry toward integrated, digital care delivery models that complement and are connected to traditional care settings.
“Digital health is one of the fastest growing segments of the healthcare industry. There is an incredible demand for medical care to be delivered in more convenient and integrated ways,” said Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic. “This new venture marks the first time that a major digital health technology platform has partnered with a globally recognized healthcare provider to deliver digital solutions for complex healthcare problems. This new digital health service will provide access to world-class Cleveland Clinic expertise and quality of care for patients in the U.S. and internationally.”
The Clinic will offer convenient online access to expert care across a wide array of specialties without requiring individuals to leave their homes. Through a secure digital platform powered by American Well, people from around the world will be able to connect with Cleveland Clinic’s leading specialists and receive insights, opinions, recommendations, and assistance for a variety of conditions.
“As the adoption and value of telehealth grows, there is significant potential to further advance the digital distribution of care,” said Ido Schoenberg, M.D., Chairman and CEO, American Well. “Cleveland Clinic has long been at the forefront of offering virtual visits, and we’re thrilled to partner more closely with them to expand the frontiers for digital care delivery.”
An early adopter of digital health services, Cleveland Clinic has had a rapid increase in the use of virtual visits to deliver patient care. In 2018 alone, the number of annual virtual visits grew 68%. Telehealth is a key part of Cleveland Clinic’s growth strategy to double the number of patients served in the next five years. Cleveland Clinic projects that in just five years, 50% of outpatient visits will be virtual.
Cleveland Clinic and American Well have collaborated since 2014 to deliver non-emergency and specialty care via telehealth through Cleveland Clinic Express Care® Online. The digital health service is available 24 hours a day for patients throughout the U.S. to receive a quick diagnosis for a variety of minor injuries or illnesses through a virtual visit. Appointments are available on demand or can be conveniently scheduled through the Express Care Online app.
