About the MedStar #Patient2Consumer Challenge

In the near future, the hospital — as we know it today — may no longer exist.

While the anchor of the U.S. healthcare system remains the big box hospital, more and more care is transitioning away from the in-hospital setting into convenient access points like urgent care sites, ambulatory complexes and surgery centers, home care, virtual visits, and other remote care options enabled by technology. And, hospital systems need to be prepared to accommodate this new trend.

Together, MedStar and 1776 are planning for this reality by launching the MedStar #Patient2Consumer Challenge to activate the startup community and identify innovations that can help transform MedStar’s approach. The program will recruit the best ideas and startups — going beyond smartphone applications and patient portals — that will shape the future of health.

Check out the winners of the #Patient2Consumer Challenge:

Care+Wear – Fashionable and accessible clothing designed for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Level Therapy – Mobile platform providing treatment tools and video access to licensed psychotherapists.

Pacify Health – Connecting mothers to a national network of pediatric nurses and nutritionists.

Ride RoundTrip Inc – On demand trip scheduling and monitoring for non-emergency medical transportation.

VEDA Data Solutions – Using AI and machine learning to solve problems facing health insurers.

Innovation Mention:

Patientory – Cybersecurity company using blockchain technology to securely manage patient records.

The winning startups receive prizes and the opportunity to incubate their ideas or further develop their companies as part of MedStar’s Innovation Lab cohort.

We are looking for startups of all sizes working on solutions and technologies in the following areas:

Experience: startups that can increase engagement and satisfaction with the healthcare system and empower people to take an active role in their own health.

Emerging Technologies: startups using emerging technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality, Robotics, Internet of Things, and Blockchain to play a major role in improving delivery, providing care, supporting custom-tailored treatments, or using data in new ways.

Connectedness: innovations that make coordination of care outside the hospital more efficient; bridge connections among different sites of care, pharmacies and physicians; or optimize transportation and resources.

Money: startups working in the billing and consumer cost spaces that can create a more transparent system, generate incentives and encourage a smooth continuum of care — all while reducing out-of-pocket costs to consumers.