Is the traditional healthcare system broken? Hims & Hers is betting on it. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the disruptive Hims & Hers business model, a vertically integrated virtual care platform that has grown from a niche startup to a profitable public company with millions of subscribers. We explore how their approach to direct-to-consumer healthcare challenges the brick-and-mortar system by prioritizing access, affordability, and consumer convenience. We're also joined by Hims & Hers' Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Carroll, who shares an inside look at how the company is scaling its next-generation care model.
From treating stigmatized conditions like hair loss and erectile dysfunction to expanding into complex chronic care, Hims & Hers has built a powerful flywheel of services. We break down how their full-stack system, complete with a proprietary EMR, in-house pharmacies, and custom-compounded medications, creates a seamless patient experience. A cornerstone of this is the asynchronous care model, which allows for efficient, high-quality, 24/7 interactions between patients and a network of nearly 3,000 providers. Dr. Patrick Carroll explains how this model is fundamental to providing affordable care and achieving high patient satisfaction without the friction of traditional appointments.
We also explore the company's strategic expansion, particularly with the Hims & Hers for weight management program. Dr. Carroll reveals compelling data on their personalized GLP-1 program, which has shown remarkable patient retention and efficacy thanks to a combination of custom dosing and high-touch clinical support involving millions of patient messages. Looking forward, we discuss Hims & Hers' plans to tackle menopause, men's hormone support, and at-home diagnostics, further pushing the boundaries of the direct-to-consumer healthcare landscape. Finally, for clinicians and aspiring entrepreneurs, the conversation concludes with invaluable career advice, as Dr. Carroll shares insights from his journey and offers a roadmap for a successful physician career in health tech.
About Our Guest:
Dr. Patrick Carroll is the Chief Medical Officer of Hims & Hers. A board-certified family physician with over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Carroll has followed a non-linear career path dedicated to solving healthcare's biggest challenges: access and affordability. His journey includes formative years with the Indian Health Service, leadership roles in large medical groups like Atrius Health, and serving as the Chief Medical Officer of Walgreens, where he led their retail health and digital strategy before joining Hims & Hers in 2019.
Timestamps / Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction: A New Model for Healthcare?
(01:19) The Rise of Hims & Hers: From Niche Startup to SPAC Success
(03:36) Deconstructing the Hims & Hers Business Model
(05:23) Regulatory Hurdles of Direct-to-Consumer Healthcare
(11:59) A Physician's View: Integrating Hims & Hers into Specialty Care
(16:20) The Future of Hims & Hers: Expanding into Chronic Disease
(18:52) Meet Dr. Patrick Carroll, CMO of Hims & Hers
(26:12) The Secret Sauce: How the Asynchronous Care Model Drives Quality
(33:00) Inside the Hims & Hers for Weight Management Program (GLP-1s)
(42:20) Building a Better EMR: The Hims & Hers Tech Stack & AI Future
(46:22) Dr. Carroll's Advice: A Physician Career Path in Health Tech