SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — AARP Foundation and Rock Health have announced DispatchHealth as the winner of the 2017 Aging in Place $50K Challenge, a startup competition for entrepreneurs with solutions that help vulnerable older adults remain in their homes and communities. The challenge is focused on innovations that reduce unnecessary health care services, costs and hospital readmission rates while allowing older adults the opportunity to live independently in their homes. This year’s finalists were DispatchHealth, FRND Health, and RoundTrip. DispatchHealth is a provider of mobile and virtual healthcare. They are working to redefine healthcare delivery by providing convenient and affordable on-demand ER-Alternative Care services in the home.
“Healthy housing is essential to fighting senior poverty,” said Lisa Marsh Ryerson, AARP Foundation President. “When people can stay in their homes as they age, they stay involved in their communities, which benefits us all. All three finalists demonstrated great ingenuity along with a passion for innovation that can make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable older adults and society as a whole.”
“We are honored to have been selected for the Aging in Place $50K Challenge from among such innovative companies,” said Dr. Mark Prather, CEO and co-founder of DispatchHealth. “We share with AARP Foundation and Rock Health the belief that access to quality healthcare should know no boundaries. Through on-demand, mobile medical services, people can receive appropriate medical care in their homes, where they are more comfortable and where healing comes more quickly.”
The Aging in Place $50K Challenge launched on July 17 when AARP Foundation and Rock Health announced their collaboration and issued a call for entrepreneurs to submit their health tech innovations. In September, DispatchHealth was announced as one of the three finalists. As the grand prize winner of the Aging in Place $50K Challenge, DispatchHealth will be awarded $50,000, have access to AARP’s expertise and network, and receive ongoing strategic support from Rock Health to accelerate its growth and better help vulnerable older adults. FRND Health and RoundTrip will also receive support from AARP Foundation and Rock Health.
“We were impressed with all three finalists in this year’s competition,” said Malay Gandhi, Managing Director of Rock Health. “DispatchHealth stood out for its ambitious yet important mission to help vulnerable populations receive both urgent and preventative care in the home. Rock Health is proud to work with AARP Foundation and connect DispatchHealth to the network and support that will scale its impact.”
About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation works for and with vulnerable people over 50 to end senior poverty and reduce financial hardship by building economic opportunity. As a charitable affiliate of AARP, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Through vigorous legal advocacy and evidence-based solutions, and by strengthening supportive community connections, we foster resilience, advance equity and restore hope. To learn more, visit www.aarpfoundation.org or follow @AARPFoundation on Twitter.
About DispatchHealth
DispatchHealth offers on-demand urgent care in the home as a convenient, high-touch and cost-effective alternative to the emergency room. Their board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are equipped with all the tools necessary to treat common to complex injuries and illnesses in the comfort of home, including IV fluids, medications, lab work, x-rays, EKGs and stitches. DispatchHealth accepts most major health insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, and works in conjunction with a patient’s primary care physician and/or specialists by providing a complete medical record following each visit. For more information, visit www.dispatchhealth.com.
About Rock Health
Founded in 2010, Rock Health is powering the future of healthcare. Rock Health funds and supports startups building the next generation of technologies transforming healthcare. Rock Health is a seed and early-stage venture fund that supports startups at every stage of their journey—from idea to IPO. Rock Health also provides unparalleled support for entrepreneurs as they build companies in this complex ecosystem. Rock Health has made 68 investments in 63 companies that have raised a total of $1.2 billion in follow-on funding. For more information, visit rockhealth.com.