Sharing is caring!

Oshi Health is a convenient, virtual way to GI healthcare.

I had the opportunity to chat with their team virtually to understand more about who they are and what they do.

After doing so, I am confident that you will find the information as intriguing as I do.

So, let’s start with who Oshi Health is and what they do.

Oshi {Virtual GI Healthcare}

Click HERE to save this post for later

Oshi Health

The Oshi Health concept is one that takes the whole GI (gastrointestinal) patient into consideration, addressing any and all of their needs under one umbrella.

So, what does “any and all” needs actually mean?

It means that your GI appointment is just the start.

Instead of then referring you out to x, y, and z other professionals, Oshi Health provides those professionals within their network of services.

Expert Consult

These services are provided by experts in their own areas, which you will see via number 4 below.

Here’s how Oshi Health works:

1. Become a member. Everything (unless lab work is needed) you do with Oshi Health is virtual. Therefore, you’ll become a member by booking your first virtual visit. [HERE]
2. Download your Oshi Health app, it’s available for both iOS and Android users. Once you have the app, your initial GI consult appointment will be confirmed.
3. GI appointment. This initial consult lasts around 45 minutes. The GI Provider who sees you initially will then get your history, medical records, and ask about your lifestyle . Based on your circumstances, recommendations will be prepared for you and an entire care plan created.
4. Here are various professionals, plans, and things that might come next:
   1. GI Dietitian
   2. Health Coach, GI focused
   3. GI Psychologist
   4. Labs & Procedures (if necessary)
   5. Prescriptions

And there’s more.

Digestive Care

So why do I think digestive care like the one Oshi Health provides is so great?

Here are my top 5 reasons:

1. Nationwide wait times for GI (plus additional) services are long.

   Think about it, after you finally get into that GI appointment, how long is it until your follow up? And even if you did get a referral for something beyond the GI care, how long would it take to get that initial appointment?

2. Almost never is it a stomachache of sorts only.

   I have never, ever in my decade long research and experiences known anyone who had one GI issue, siloed off. Some people might not yet know it, but everyone is dealing with something more than just a stomachache.

   But if you’re only seeing a GI doctor and not dealing with all the other things that could be going on; lifestyle or medically, not only will you not heal, but you will get worse.

3. Ongoing support.

   You are given 24/7 access in-app messaging with your care team and ongoing support from your care coordinator and GI Health Coach. Have a question at dinner and need immediate help?

   That’s what the app is there for. You have 24/7 access to a specialist at your fingertips.

4. External support.

   Oshi views itself as complementary to the typical GI practice. The virtual platform provides access to ancillary services that are hard to get in a brick- and mortar setting. Oshi Health care coordinators will identify and help schedule appointments for in-person procedures like colonoscopies, if you require them.

   If you have a GI that you trust but want to work with Oshi’s dietitians and psychologists, Oshi will collaborate with any of your existing providers. Oshi Health takes on the responsibility of managing referrals and medical record retrieval.

5. Accountability & Support.

   Oshi Medical Director Dr. Michael Bass gave a poignant example of one of his patients who suffers from severe IBS: She was out on a business dinner with one of her clients. A bottle of wine was ordered for the table. Through her work with Oshi dieticians, she localized a specific type of red wine as a major trigger. She wasn’t sure if  the ordered bottle was the same type.

   The patient texted her Oshi health coach and was able to confirm in minutes the wine order would be a trigger. The coach responded within minutes  that it indeed was the same, and a potentially major crisis was averted! The tough part for the patient is putting the recommendations into action, understanding what it all means, and making the necessary life changes. Oshi provides this support by connecting patients with dedicated health coaches.

Conditions

Here are the conditions your care team can help diagnose, manage, and treat:

1. IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
2. IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
3. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
4. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
5. Gluten Intolerance or Celiac Disease
6. Colorectal Cancer Screening

Cost

The big question, then,

Okay, so what does this virtual GI healthcare service cost?

Remember, it’s a membership platform, so you’ll pay a monthly fee.

The monthly fee is just $1 for your first month. After that it’s $20/month.

This monthly fee covers Oshi Health membership (including a dedicated GI Health Coach, Care Coordinator, and educational content).

There is an additional cost of $20 for appointments with an NP, Gastroenterologist, Dietitian, or Psychologist, which is less than most co-pays. Costs for any labs, diagnostics or procedures will be submitted to your insurance.

Make note: Oshi Health is currently available in Florida and Pennsylvania and will be expanding to additional states soon.

Telemed

Telemed (telemedicine) is becoming very popular, especially now in light of the 2020 happenings.

Oshi Health is a telemed service where you see your provider(s) via an app similar to zoom.

I believe that, in most ways, this will be the dominant way to access healthcare in the future.

And when I say “this,” I’m not only talking about the zoom-like feature and telemed. I am also talking about a holistic approach to helping patients.

As Oshi Health Medical Director, Mike Bass, MD told me via the phone,

The care of a patient doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We have a whole team on your side.

I’m pretty sure we can all relate to this.

If you’re interested in giving Oshi Health a try, you can join today  

And if you do give it a try, I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback, as I, too, am extremely curious.

Also, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below: Do YOU think this is healthcare of the future?

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. Three Pillars to Ultimate Gut Healing
2. Beginner’s Guide to Digestive Health Testing
3. Journaling for Gut Healing

Disclosure: This is a paid, sponsored post in partnership with Oshi Health. All opinions started here are 100% my own. I appreciate your support, as this compensation helps with expenses to keep this website up and running, and for me to continue sharing all that I can with you. For my full disclaimer and disclosure click HERE. Thank you for your support!

Xox,
SKH