Why do patients have to wait months, or even years, for dementia care while their condition worsens? The current system is failing families, but our guests today have developed a new dementia care model to fix it. This episode of HealthTech Remedy dives deep into Isaac Health, a company using a technology-enabled services platform to deliver scalable, specialist-level brain health and dementia care directly to patients in their homes. We're joined by co-founders Dr. Julius Bruch, a former McKinsey consultant and dementia researcher, and Dr. Joel Salinas, a leading neurologist from NYU, to unpack how they are tackling one of healthcare's biggest challenges.
In this conversation, we explore the revolutionary approach Isaac Health is taking to solve the crisis of access in brain healthcare. You'll learn how their innovative, virtual dementia care platform is designed to eliminate the long wait times to see a neurologist - which can stretch over a year - and provide immediate support. We break down the new Medicare GUIDE model, a landmark payment initiative from CMS that is creating new pathways for comprehensive dementia services, and how Isaac Health’s model was perfectly positioned to lead the way. Co-founders Julius Bruch and Dr. Joel Salinas share the personal stories that drove them to leave successful careers in consulting and academic medicine to build a solution from the ground up.
This discussion is a masterclass in building a technology-enabled clinical services company. We cover how Isaac Health provides scalable specialist dementia care by using smart workflows and technology to empower a wider range of clinicians and extend the reach of top neurologists. The conversation also highlights the immense burden placed on families and the critical importance of dementia caregiver support, a core component of their comprehensive model. We also touch on the development of new value-based care models, the challenges of integrating medical and social care, and the incredible early results Isaac Health has achieved, including a 38% reduction in ER visits for their patients. From personal stories of patient impact to a high-level discussion of their business strategy and partnerships with Medicare Advantage plans, this episode is essential listening for anyone affected by dementia or interested in the future of healthcare innovation.
About Our Guests:
Dr. Julius Bruch is the CEO and co-founder of Isaac Health. His journey began with his grandmother's struggle with dementia, which inspired him to pursue a PhD in the field. After seeing the systemic issues from a health systems perspective as a consultant at McKinsey, he was driven to build a platform that could scale specialist care for brain health.
Dr. Joel Salinas is the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Isaac Health. A first-generation Nicaraguan-American, Dr. Salinas is a practicing neurologist at NYU, was previously faculty at Mass General, and has done extensive research with the Framingham Heart Study. He witnessed the growing public health crisis of specialist shortages and year-long wait times for patients, motivating him to co-found Isaac Health to bring expert care to all who need it.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:15) Introducing Isaac Health: A New Approach to Dementia Care
(03:27) The Personal Toll of Dementia & Need for Better Caregiver Support
(05:34) The Medicare GUIDE Model: A New Payment Pathway for Dementia Care
(07:36) Why Neurologist Wait Times Are Over a Year
(10:10) Meet the Founders: The Personal Journeys Behind Isaac Health
(17:53) The Isaac Health Business Model: Clinical Expertise Meets Payer Savvy
(20:05) Bridging the Gaps in Conventional Dementia Care
(25:48) How Isaac Health Scales Specialist Care with Technology
(29:17) Measuring Success: Clinical and Financial Outcomes
(31:02) Powerful Patient & Caregiver Stories from the Front Lines