Pager: Interview with Co-Founder Philip Eytan
Pager lets users request telehealth appointments and doctor home visits via their app. Doctors confirm your request and will arrive at your door in less than 2 hours – which is even faster than booking appointments through most concierge health services.
Started in 2013, Pager has already found doctor efficiency increase and has dropped rates. The first visit is $49, and $199 per visit afterwards. If there is a minor issue that can be treated over the phone, the charge is only $25. More importantly, Pager accepts HSA and FSA cards, and is reimbursable as an out-of-network provider under most plans.
Co-founders Philip Eytan, Gaspard de Dreuzy, and Oscar Salazar bring together their unique experience in data, operations, and entrepreneurship. Prior to Pager, Oscar was part of the founding team of Uber, Gaspard started several gaming companies, and Philip invested in tech startups (like Livestream) after Wall Street. The Company just raised $10MM in mid-March to fund growing operations. We asked Philip to answer a few questions about the quickly expanding company.
B: You and the team have backgrounds that fit very well together for a housecall app. Why is now the right time to start a telehealth / doctor housecall business?
Philip: Pager's overarching vision is to use technology to streamline the healthcare industry, creating better experiences for all stakeholders while controlling cost through greater efficiency and management native to how people manage their lives these days. So many technologists have revolutionized experiences across transportation, groceries, etc. while healthcare has fallen behind and is arguably the industry that should merit the greatest consumer experience of all.
B: How has the Company grown since launch? How many doctors are signed up?
Philip: We are thrilled with how many patients have discovered and become loyal to Pager but we don't currently release growth metrics. We have 20 doctors signed up.
B: What are the main motivations for doctors to be more mobile outside their offices?
Philip: Doctors believe in mobile medicine because it offers personalized, 1-1 care that is often more fulfilling than trying to maintain the rigid schedule of a busy office practice. Doctor’s also may appreciate the supplement to their income that comes free of the paperwork associated with the practice of medicine.
B: Pager is currently reimbursable as an out-of-network provider - is there a path for being in-network and who will be the first plans involved?
Philip: We will be announcing this roll out shortly.
The Company is planning to open up in several additional markets next year and expand the scope of their services. If you are lucky enough to live in New York City, try Pager the next time you are sick, or need to see a doctor quickly. Doctor’s respond between 8am - 10pm, giving you nearly all-day access to the best, certified, talent in town.
