My Health Direct secures $4M, not just redirecting emergency room patients

If you’ve ever had to visit the emergency room at your local hospital then you’re no stranger to a jam packed waiting room, crying babies and a long wait. In an effort to remedy the problem, My Health Direct, a company that provides a web-based software for healthcare providers to redirect patients with non-emergency conditions to other health care providers, has secured $4 million in first round funding led by Chrysalis Ventures.

In the press release, founder and chief executive Jay Mason says the funding will be used for expansion, both geographically and beyond the emergency room.

The platform is mainly used by nurses in emergency rooms at hospitals and clinics. As patients call or visit the ER, the nurses can determine their emergency status. If the patient is deemed as non-emergency, the nurses can then search and schedule appointments using the My Health Direct software with other healthcare providers in the community. The result, a reduction of unnecessary visits to hospital emergency rooms, but non-emergency patients still get treated. The appeal for healthcare providers is an overall cost savings because patients are directed to the most appropriate healthcare professional, and not forcing the provider to absorb the ER cost.

This is the second healthcare/information technology deal that Louisville, Ky.-based Chrysalis has closed in the past month.  On November 17th, Chrysalis announced its investment of $5 million in NextImage Medical, a provider of radiology services.

As part of the funding, David A. Jones, Jr., Chrysalis Ventures Chairman & Managing Director will be joining the My Health Direct’s board.

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