Axle Health: On-Demand Home Testing for Telehealth - Y Combinator

Telehealth Support: Bridging the Gap with In-Home Diagnostics

The adoption of telehealth services experienced a significant increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, certain diagnostic evaluations still necessitate the physical presence of healthcare professionals.

Axle Health, a participant in the current Y Combinator accelerator program, is focused on assisting telehealth companies in overcoming this limitation.

The Axle Health Service Model

“The healthcare professionals we dispatch for in-home visits include phlebotomists, Medical Assistants (MAs), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs),” explained Connor Hailey, Axle’s co-founder.

Currently, a substantial portion of service requests are related to COVID-19, as noted by Hailey.

While direct insurance acceptance isn’t currently implemented, many partner companies establish their desired patient fees and subsequently pursue reimbursement from insurance providers, according to Hailey.

Cost and Reimbursement Details

The majority of patients do not directly pay out-of-pocket for Axle Health’s services; these costs are typically incurred as a separate fee for the in-home visit. The specific charges are determined by the credentials of the visiting healthcare professional. 

For example, Sameday Health, a key partner, charges $250 for an at-home PCR test, which is currently a self-pay expense. Sameday Health intends to introduce an insurance-covered at-home PCR test option in the near future, accompanied by a $100 house-call fee. 

Expansion and Future Goals

Axle Health initiated its services in late January and is aiming to broaden its offerings beyond COVID-19 testing. Presently, the company is prioritizing responsiveness to current market needs.

Connor Hailey’s professional background includes experience at ZocDoc and Uber, which informed the creation of this business.

Hailey and co-founder Adam Stansell are driven by a vision of delivering comparable concierge-level services at more accessible price points for a wider patient population, Hailey stated.

“Currently, in-home care is largely available to those with significant financial resources; our goal is to make it economically viable for everyone,” he said.