Hims & Hers unveils new app, security procedures

Hims & Hers, an online mail-order health company that uses remote consultations to prescribe cosmetic and sexual health products, has rolled out a new app for users.

The app will offer almost identical services and links to the original platform and give users access to asynchronous healthcare visits and prescription products such as birth control and medication. against erectile dysfunction.

“The app is for our customers and is really a way to better connect and communicate after being on our platform and subscribing to services,” Dr. Patrick Carroll, physician, told MobiHealthNews. chef at Hims & Hers. “We want to make sure there is a frictionless way to communicate with suppliers and make adjustments. It really is a tool of communication and connection. “

The company has also worked on strengthening its security and verification tools. Earlier this month, it started implementing a new three-step security process.

First, when a patient registers on the platform, they must upload a government issued photo ID as well as a selfie. Once downloaded, the system runs an algorithm to validate the ID and make sure it matches the selfie. If there is any discrepancy with the ID or selfie / ID match, this is sent to the Hims & Hers fraud team.

The news comes seven months after Hims & Hers and its main competitor in the space, Roman, came under fire when a New York Times article examined the company’s prescribing practices. The article points out that clients come to the platforms with a “self-diagnosis” and do not need to see a doctor in person.

But Carroll pointed out that providers working for the organization are specifically trained to prescribe within telemedicine capacity.

“If you look at the conditions that we are treating, we train the doctors on the correct starting dosage so that they are very comfortable, even if it is asynchronous. We [train] what is the starting dose and the appropriate applications, ”Carroll said.

He said vendors need to be certified by the board and take additional training on prescribing for the platform. He also noted that the assessment tool used at the site is a way to rule out whether a patient is at high risk for complications.

“We are looking at whether the clients are appropriate or not,” he said. “Our platform is aimed at low-risk patients.

This news series coincides with the announcement that former Cleveland Clinic CEO Dr Toby Cosgrove has joined the company’s board of directors.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

The increase in high deductible health plans and broader technology have led to an increase in the consumerization of health care. Several companies like Hims & Hers have evolved to tackle this emerging trend. Carroll said the app is aimed a lot at consumers for ease of use and the growing demand for convenience.

However, there have also been a number of questions about these types of tools. The safety platform is an attempt to tighten up the ship.

THE BIGGEST TREND

Hims & Hers recently grew up $ 100 million in funding – bringing its valuation to more than a billion dollars. The platform started out specifically to meet the needs of men, but has spread to women health needs in 2018. The service now includes everything from erectile dysfunction treatment for men to birth control for women.

It’s not the only telemedicine company in space. The platform’s obvious competitor is Ro, another online men’s health platform, launched in November 2017 and initially focused on erectile dysfunction. More recently, Roman’s larger brand has expanded its services into the area of ​​smoking cessation. In September, the startup garnered $ 88 million in funding.