Fast Company Selects American Well as One of the World's Ten Most Innovative Companies in Healthcare

BOSTON, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- American Well™ has been honored as one of the Most Innovative Companies in Healthcare by Fast Company in its annual Most Innovative Companies issue. American Well was recognized for extending Online Care to consumers and physicians nationwide in partnership with top health plans and delivery networks. Other leaders on Fast Company's list include Google, Cisco, Apple and GE, along with such rising newcomers as Twitter and Gilt Groupe.

Founded by Drs. Ido and Roy Schoenberg, American Well's Online Care service allows consumers to engage in immediate live encounters with credentialed health care providers. Patients initiate these on-demand encounters from their home or workplace at any time, using the Web or a regular phone. During each live interaction, physicians review the patient's clinical information, speak with and see the patient, prescribe medications as appropriate, and suggest follow-up care.

"We are honored to be recognized by Fast Company as one of the most innovative companies in our industry," said Ido Schoenberg, MD, Chairman and CEO of American Well, Inc. "This reinforces the momentum Online Care has experienced in the past year, which has seen Online Care become a reality for patients."

"The availability of Online Care changes the paradigm by bringing healthcare to where patients are," said Roy Schoenberg, MD, MPH, CEO of American Well Systems. "It makes it possible for physicians to deliver care when they want and allows patients to receive care when they need it, ultimately removing barriers to access such as distance, wait times, mobility and lack of insurance."  

To create this year's Most Innovative Companies issue, Fast Company's editorial team analyzed information on thousands of businesses across the globe. The result is a package unlike that of any other business media. It's not just about revenue growth and profit margins; it's about identifying creative models and progressive cultures – to define the many forms of innovation that exist across the business landscape.  

"It was invigorating to engage with so many exciting new ideas and developments," said Fast Company editor Robert Safian.  "Our goal was to offer a snapshot of the creativity at work in the global marketplace, and to inspire the Fast Company audience with illustrations of how powerful and effective business can be."  

Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies issue (March 2010) is on newsstands now, and is online at www.fastcompany.com/MIC.  

About American Well

American Well™ has created an Online Care system that allows consumers to connect with physicians immediately, whenever they have a health need, from their homes or offices. The innovation uses advanced Web-based technologies and telephony to remove traditional barriers to healthcare access, including insurance coverage, geography, mobility and time constraints. American Well is committed to supporting health plans in meeting consumer and employer demand for affordable, efficient and immediate access to quality care. For more information, please visit www.americanwell.com.

SOURCE American Well