Innovatie

Medexo GmbH

Ontwikkeling

Medexo provides medical second opinions from independent experts online. This minimizes the risk of sales oriented procedures, serving as quality management tool and patient safety process at the same time, raising patient safety and patient self-determination.
Especially developed anamnesis questionnaires and a unique tool for uploading high resolution medical files allow the collection of all necessary information for a consolidated second opinion. For each medical field an advisory council consisting of renowned active and inactive specialists ensure the high standard and control of the medical experts taking part in the program. Beside the network of medical experts, Medexo itself is managed by a team of physicians and internet experts and is constantly kept on the state-of-the-art of science and technology. Medexo ́s goal is to offer medical second opinions to patients in all medical fields in the near future.

Medisch technologische innovaties

Zelfzorg

Regio Niet uit Nederland of Vlaanderen

Wouter Kracht

http://www.medexo.com

Probleemstelling

Significantly rising rates of medical surgeries, obviously unnecessary surgeries, high expenses on health care, insufficient advisory services and a clearing system which supports this trend rather than diminishing it – this is reality in Germany. “Medexo – Medical Experts Online” was developed emerging from the dissatisfaction with the current patient care situation in Germany and the general need for a better and more diligent medical education of patients.

Oplossing

Medexo offers the patient the possibility to obtain a medical second opinion from independent leading experts via the internet. Through this assessment, the patient gains additional information and security for his or her decision, and the treatment plan can be optimized.

Doelgroep

The target customer group are patients facing a planned surgery or a severe and life-changing therapy suggested by their physician. Momentarily we are extending to cover international patients as well. More options for further expansion are establishing services like e.g. a patient transfer to specialists after the second opinion for further treatment. Our service can improve therapies everywhere.

Verdienmodel

Medexo is currently earning about 6.000 € in sales per month, with a gross profit of 3.050 €. With five people on the pay role and two freelance employees, the burn rate is with approx. 37.000€ quite low. Fix costs are very low with only 1.500€ per month, as is the marketing budget with 3.000€ per month. The main cost drivers are personnel costs and investment in product and process technology.

Concurrentie

So far, there are no considerable competitors in the German market. There is another online portal available in Germany, offering second opinions in oncology, however, they do not offer the service themselves, but support the patient in presenting the patient before a tumor board of a university hospital.

Unieke kenmerken

- Medical second opinions from experienced and renowned specialists within a few days
- No medical knowledge or assistance needed, detailed explanations of therapy options kept simple.
- Independent, reliable and confidential, high data security
- No exhausting travel necessary, no waiting for appointments needed
- Easy process via internet or phone, free telephone support before, during and after second opinion

Intellectueel eigendom

No, although we consider to register or online questionnaire tool. The unique online process including dynamic anamneses questionnaires, easy pain-point graphics and many free text fields, allow the patient to present his or her complete patient history, acute problems and intentions for obtaining a second opinion. Patients can take their time, change answers, take a break and sleep over their statements, as the data is saved in real time.

Organisatie

The Medexo GmbH owns and operates the internet platform www.medexo.com. Medexo acts as mediator between the patient and the Medexo network of medical experts, offering customer telephone advice and support before and during the second opinion process, the unique online assessment procedures, and all services surrounding the medical second opinion like selecting the matching medical experts, support with the acquisition of medical records, translation of medical jargon to lay German, as well as customer support after the second opinion and quality management. When acquiring a second opinion via Medexo, the customer or the insurance company therefore has to pay a fee to the medical expert and a service fee to Medexo for using the services listed before.
The quality of the medical experts is ensured by a medical board of advisors, inspecting and verifying each member of the Medexo network.
The management team of Medexo consists of a team of physicians with experience in various medical fields and internet start-up professionals with backgrounds of e-health and e-commerce, as well as marketing, operations and business development.

Implementatiestrategie

As described before, insurance company co-operation is very important to the business model. Sales to the insurance companies is covered by one employee only and has been quite successful and efficient, accounting for the slow moving and very bureaucratic health insurance market.
Further marketing activities will be held off until a considerable amount of potential patients are covered by insurance co-operations to ensure efficient marketing and low spreading loss. Instead, Medexo tries to encourage the insurance companies itself to engage in marketing activities, as Medexo can only reduce costs for the insurance company if as many insurants as possible use the service.