Seattle-based Carena announced today a new $13.3 million round of funding to expand its Virtual Clinic service, which uses webcams and phone calls to help hospitals deal with expanding patient needs.
As part of the new investment round, Cambia Health Solutions and McKesson Ventures are joining Catholic Health Initiatives and Martin Ventures in backing the startup.
“Cambia and McKesson share our belief that building partnerships with local healthcare systems is the best way to provide high-quality telemedicine solutions for consumers,” Carena CEO Ralph Derrickson said in a press release.
Carena’s Virtual Clinics offer online checkups, which can range between free and $50, reducing emergency room visits and providing a low-cost way for patients to receive care. Most “visits” last about 20 minutes and help to diagnose conditions including pink eye, cold sores, the flu and urinary tract infections.
Last month, Carena announced four new partnerships with hospitals around the country, which have brought its telemedicine options to 13 million people nationwide. Partners include UW Hospital, INTEGRIS Health in Oklahoma City, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and Hospital Sisters Health System in Springfield, Illinois.
Update: This article previously misstated the cost of a Virtual Clinic visit and the number of people the service now reaches. Both numbers have been corrected.
