Galileo to Complement Work of Emory's Clinically Integrated Network

Georgia ranks 40th in the nation for primary care physician availability, with underserved communities facing significant barriers to timely care. To expand access to primary and specialty care in the state, Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare is partnering with a startup called Galileo, which delivers both digital- and physically-based primary care.

Galileo was founded by Thomas Lee, M.D., who previously founded One Medical and Epocrates. The company says it offers high-touch, comprehensive virtual primary care for a wide range of conditions through an app. Available 24/7 in both English and Spanish, members can receive care by chat, video, phone, and the web.

This collaboration is one of several initiatives Emory Healthcare is advancing through the Emory Healthcare Network, a clinically integrated network focused on affordable, coordinated care.

Earlier this year Emory Healthcare Network announced it was expanding its partnership with MinuteClinic, the clinics inside CVS Pharmacy locations. This will add in-network adult primary care to most of the clinically integrated network’s health insurance plan holders at all 35 MinuteClinic locations in Georgia. 

Last November, Healthcare Innovation interviewed Emory Healthcare Network CEO Patrick Hammond about a new population health collaborative being created in partnership with Guidehealth, a value-based managed services company. The new population health collaborative integrates Emory’s primary care service line and affiliate physician network to expand value-based care – a focus on quality and outcomes while containing costs – to more than 350,000 individuals across Georgia. 

In addition to expanding primary care access, Emory and Galileo are exploring ways to reduce burdens on specialty care providers. Galileo’s integrated care model includes behavioral health and chronic disease management.

“We designed Galileo to not only deliver higher quality, more affordable care – but to integrate and collaborate seamlessly with quality health systems across the country,” said Galileo’s Lee in a statement. “In aligning with Emory Healthcare, we’re able to offer the strengths of both our organizations to more Georgians, which is exciting.”

“As Galileo joins forces with Emory Healthcare, we will be able to provide additional innovative primary care solutions to patients across Georgia,” said Joon S. Lee, M.D., CEO of Emory Healthcare, in a statement. “This collaboration enables us to offer care to individuals on their phones, computers or in a clinic setting — while ensuring they can seamlessly access Emory specialists when needed.”