Cardiologist Kishlay Anand started Phoenix-based telehealth company Akos in 2016 to make health care more affordable and convenient. He didn’t know the virtual platform would be so helpful during a pandemic in 2020.
In its early stages, Anand says many people didn’t recognize telemedicine as a valid modality to deliver health care, but now it could save lives.
“If somebody has something very simple, we can keep them home and give them the care at home that helps stop the spread of the disease and keeps those patients safe,” he says. “If somebody has something serious, we are able to help them call 911 or help them to the closest emergency department.”
Akos originally started as a smartphone application, but in order to make its services more accessible to the community, it is now available on all digital devices.
Anand’s aim is to “combine the tangible with the intangible,” offering telemedicine services alongside clinic-based care in 14 medical kiosks in Safeway and Albertson’s grocery stores throughout Arizona.
“People who need help, we are there to assist them and guide them on their health care journey and get them the care promptly that they need,” he says.
To effectively do this, Anand and his team created a care platform that integrates an initial triage performed by qualified nurses and care provided by specialized occupational medicine providers from across the country.
Akos eliminates the need for in-person doctor visits and gives patients a safe alternative to crowded emergency rooms. Akos’ board-certified physicians can answer questions and concerns regarding COVID-19 through video chat services 24 hours a day. Akos also provides free no-contact delivery on prescriptions, so that patients can further limit their exposure.
In response to the pandemic, Akos is making its telemedicine services even more accessible with a reduced rate. Through the end of June, Akos is lowering its fee to $49 per visit. If a patient is referred to a med clinic for further diagnostics, there is no additional fee. Akos accepts most commercial insurance plans, but insurance is not required to use its services.
The telehealth company has constantly evolved since its inception, but its mission has stayed the same – providing better care at a lower cost.
“You start with a vision and you learn a lot from the market and you definitely have to keep improving your services,” Anand says. “The big part is always assuring quality of service. That’s one aspect that is critical because you may have the best platform, but if you’re not able to provide high-quality service and consumer satisfaction, that could be make or break.”
For more information, visit akosmd.com.
