Carbon Health Review

Carbon Health

Why We Like Them

Carbon Health is a medical industry disruptor that aims to fill a much-needed hole in the market. Its goal is to marry online medical providers and in-person doctors’ offices to create a seamless experience for patients and plenty of tech support for doctors.  Patients can schedule a live video appointment with a doctor and book an in-office appointment in minutes — all from the same app. A patient’s medical records are stored in the app, offering easy access to doctors, nurse practitioners, and lab techs.  The platform’s billing works more like a traditional doctor’s office than most startups; while you can pay via the app, most patients simply enter their health insurance policy to pay for appointments, prescriptions, and labs. The company received $30 million in funding in 2019.

Accepts

Does Not Accept Insurance
Does Not Accept HSA/FSA

Carbon Health Prices

Conditions Treated

Table of content

    Carbon Health Company Overview 

    This medical/tech startup plans to revolutionize the American healthcare system. Co-founder Eren Bali (creator of education platform Udemy and a Business Insider Top 100 Innovator) discovered the need for a more streamlined medical system after his mother developed neurosarcoidosis. After visiting half a dozen doctors’ offices each day, he and his mother would return home with pages and pages of medical information.

    Carbon offers a better medical experience that promises low-to-no wait times at doctors’ offices, easy-to-read labs, same-day appointments, and in-house pharmacies. 

    The company uses plenty of tech to keep the process moving smoothly (you’ll find flat-screen TVs in treatment rooms displaying your records and an iPad that glows red if you’ve waited longer than 15 minutes to talk to a doctor). All of this tech is managed by an in-house IT team that works right down the hall.


    Is Carbon Health Right For You? 

    We’re stoked this healthcare disruptor is creating a better experience at the doctor’s office. We love the beautiful waiting rooms that are filled with plenty of natural light and calming colors. Who needs those weird paintings and canned Muzak anyway? Carbon health is ideal for anyone who:

    • Lives in California 
    • Loves the idea of incorporating the latest technology into their health plan
    • Hates long wait times at doctors offices
    • Can’t stand confusing medical billing practices
    • Doesn’t want to travel around town to different specialists 
    • Wants a streamlined medical history that can be accessed from an app

    Carbon Health is planning on expanding to all 50 states eventually. What’s next, world domination?

    Is Carbon Health Credible?

    This online/in-person doctor hybrid wasn’t founded by doctors, but it’s run by a combination of doctors and tech experts.

    CEO Eren Bali was inspired by doctors' case studies and wanted to create a platform that was easily accessible and understood by both doctors and patients. He also felt that the healthcare system should revolve around patients — not doctors. 

    Bali enlisted the help of his sister (who is a doctor) to create Carbon Health. 

    He also enlisted the help of Greg Burrell, MD (who is now the VP of Clinical Product), and co-founder Caesar Djavaherian, MD, to help him build his network of medical providers. Also assisting the team? Sujal Mandavia, MD, chief medical officer, who has over 20 years of healthcare management experience and is the former senior vice president at TeamHealth.

    The platform is HIPAA-compliant and uses encryption on its app to keep all patient information safe. Patients cannot access the platform outside of the mobile app, ensuring information is kept safer than if accessed on a desktop or laptop. 


    Healthcare Conditions Treated by Carbon Health  

    Carbon Health offers virtual and in-person health care for adults and children as well as virtual mental health checkups. 

    Virtual Care/Pediatric Care

    If you have a burning question that can’t wait for your next visit — or a question that doesn’t require you to schlep all the way to the doctor’s office — we recommend logging on to Carbon’s app to chat with a doctor.  This feature is especially helpful for parents who find themselves with tons of questions about their kids’ health. 

    Mental Health Care

    One of the most frustrating pieces of the mental health care pie is finding time to commute to a therapist’s office for a 45-to-50 minute session. Virtual visits make visiting a psychologist super easy; no cars, trains, or bikes necessary. 

    Nutritionist Care

    Carbon is currently working on hiring virtual nutritionists to complete its holistic set of healthy offerings. 

    In-Person Care and Treatment Centers

    Carbon currently has everyday care treatment centers for urgent and preventative care throughout the state of California. The company plans on opening centers across the United States, hoping to expand its network to anyone who needs seamless healthcare. 


    Just some of the conditions Carbon’s doctors treat include:

    • Fever 
    • Cold/flu symptoms
    • Sore throat
    • Red-eye/conjunctivitis
    • Allergy symptoms
    • Contraception
    • Poison ivy/oak
    • Pre-travel immunization consultations
    • Rash
    • Diabetes
    • Sinus infection symptoms
    • Pink eye
    • Urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms
    • Bronchitis symptoms
    • Bug bites
    • Canker sore
    • Cold sore
    • Cough
    • Eye discharge
    • Eczema
    • Eye redness
    • Insect bites
    • Itchy eyes
    • Itchy nose
    • Nasal congestion
    • Prescription refill
    • Shingles
    • Sinus pain
    • Eye styes 
    • Contraception prescription

    COVID-19 Treatments

    In the wake of the coronavirus, Carbon Health has restructured its platform once again to offer patient-friendly COVID care. Patients can log on to the app to chat virtually with a doctor about symptoms. 

    Patients in the Bay Area can also visit a COVID-19 mobile clinic to get tested for the coronavirus and get same-day results. Carbon has partnered with Braid Health to create an extensive database of COVID-positive patients. This information will hopefully assist frontline workers and researchers understand more about the virus — and aid in developing a vaccine. 


    Carbon Health Does NOT treat Some Conditions 

    Carbon Health is a one-stop-shop for streamlined medical care. Yet, we wouldn’t be doing due diligence if we didn’t mention that this health start-up isn’t for everyone including anyone who:

    • Needs emergency-room care 
    • Is suicidal, has suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of self-harm or harming others
    • Doesn’t live in a state where Carbon Health is currently available

    Pricing: How Much Does Carbon Health Cost? 

    Carbon Health replaces a primary care physician and urgent care through virtual visits and in-person care. Since this medical provider takes health insurance, it’s not as budget-friendly for those who do not have access to insurance plans. Without insurance the price for Carbon services are as follows:

    Virtual Visit Prices

    Everyday Care: $49 

    Pediatric Care: $49 

    Mental Health: $99 for 50 minutes

    In-Person Visit Prices

    Primary Care Sick Visit: $195

    Primary Care Physical (New Patient): $199

    Primary Care Physical (Existing Patient): $149

    Urgent Care Visit: $195

    Specialized Treatment and Urgent Care Prices

    (All Below Prices Do NOT Include Visit Cost)

    • X-rays: $150 
    • Blood glucose: $35 
    • Chemistry panel: $60 
    • Fecal occult blood test: $50 
    • Flu screening: $65 
    • Mononucleosis screening: $50 
    • Rapid HIV screening: $50 
    • Rapid Hepatitis C screening: $50 
    • Strep screening: $50 
    • Urinalysis: $50
    • Oral medications: $0
    • Intramuscular medications: $50
    • Intravenous medications: $75
    • Flu vaccine: $25
    • Tetanus vaccine (TD): $80
    • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccine (TDAP): $95
    • Burn care: $100
    • Foreign body removal: $100
    • Incision and drainage: $150
    • Laceration repair with dermabond: $175
    • Laceration repair with staples or sutures: $175
    • Subungual hematoma drainage: $150
    • Toenail removal: $100
    • Orthopedic boot: $70
    • Cane: $50
    • Crutches: $50
    • Knee mobilizer: $95
    • Post-op shoe: $40
    • Sling: $50
    • Stirrup: $55
    • Velcro brace: $60
    • Ear wax removal: $75
    • EKG: $75
    • Gynecological exam: $75
    • Aspiration: $200
    • Reduction: $150

    Carbon Health accepts all major insurance including:

    • Aetna
    • Anthem
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield
    • Blue Shield CA
    • Cigna
    • HUMANA
    • Health Net
    • Hill Physicians
    • Medicare of California Northern
    • Oscar
    • Sutter Health
    • Tricare
    • United HealthCare
    • Western Health Advantage

    What Do We Think About Carbon Health?

    When it comes to the merger of in-patient and online healthcare, we have to say that Carbon Health is — hands down — one of the most exciting disruptors in the industry. We love the idea of a streamlined medical team that works for the patient, shortening wait times, and even understanding the need for doctors’ offices and waiting rooms that aren’t depressing and dull. 

    While Carbon Health isn’t for the American who doesn’t have access to health insurance, we do love the transparent pricing and standardized care. We also love that patients can access their health data and lab results directly in the app in real-time — removing the need for that dreaded follow-up phone call. 

    Virtual care combined with in-person visits is reason enough alone to give this Cali-based healthcare provider a shot. Who knows? Once you go Carbon, you may never go back to a ho-hum doctor’s office ever again. 

    Visit Carbon Health

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