MedStar Health Launches Virtual Cancer Care Support Pilot with Reimagine Care

MedStar Health, a prominent nonprofit healthcare system based in Baltimore, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Reimagine Care to enhance cancer patient support through a virtual care platform. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in addressing the complex needs of cancer patients and improving their overall care experience.

24/7 Oncology Expertise at Patients' Fingertips

The yearlong pilot program, set to involve 200 patients at one MedStar location, aims to provide round-the-clock support to cancer patients. Reimagine Care's innovative platform offers remote monitoring of vital signs and instant access to professional consultation, effectively extending the care patients receive from their oncologists.

Dan Nardi, CEO of Reimagine Care, emphasized the unique nature of cancer as both an acute and chronic condition, highlighting the critical need for immediate symptom interpretation in the context of a new diagnosis. "In the absence of being able to reach their oncologist, patients have limited options to understand their symptoms," Nardi explained. "Calling into a clinic often results in a 24- to 72-hour delay in response."

The virtual platform includes an AI-based assistant named Remi, capable of answering patient queries and determining when to escalate issues to human experts. This technology aims to bridge the gap between clinic visits and provide patients with timely, expert guidance throughout their cancer journey.

Integrating Technology with Existing Healthcare Systems

A key feature of the Reimagine Care solution is its seamless integration with MedStar's electronic health record system. This integration ensures that all patient interactions are documented and readily available to their oncologists, maintaining continuity of care.

Dr. Mahsa Mohebtash, Medical Director of MedStar Health Community Oncology, expressed optimism about the pilot: "We hope this pilot project successfully meets our goals to ensure patients have the most fluid access and continuity of care, and opens the door to explore opportunities for future collaboration."

The partnership addresses several challenges faced by cancer care centers, including staffing constraints and the need for scalable patient support solutions. Nardi pointed out the limitations of traditional phone-based support systems, citing workforce burnout as a major concern. "Their capacity is still going to be constrained by their ability to hire people and put them on a phone line and train them," he said. "That's not going to scale."

Promoting Health Equity in Cancer Care

Reimagine Care's approach also aims to democratize access to oncology support, regardless of patients' financial means or proximity to in-person care. The platform's messaging capabilities require only basic SMS functionality, eliminating the need for app downloads or advanced technological literacy.

This focus on accessibility is particularly relevant given recent data from the American Cancer Society, which found that 47% of cancer patients and survivors surveyed in 2024 reported medical debt related to their cancer treatment.

Nardi emphasized the platform's potential to level the playing field in cancer care: "Being able to connect [patients] with humans within minutes... it levels that playing field, if you will, for anyone and everyone that's going through cancer treatment."

As the healthcare industry continues to grapple with staffing challenges and the need for innovative patient care solutions, the MedStar Health and Reimagine Care pilot represents a promising step towards more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered cancer care.