I have seldom written more than a comment here or there. Usually, by the time I read about one of our holdings on the board, I am too late to add much value. Except now.
I think many have not realized what Teledoc is. It is not simply a Zoom for doctors. It is a medical service where you can call and talk via video to a health care provider, who can offer advice, a subscription, or a referral. Your child has flu symptoms that make you nervous, you can call Teledoc. Nervous about a growth on your arm and don’t know whether you need to see a dermatologist? Call Teledoc.
Teledoc is not going to conduct blood tests, or take your blood pressure. In my life, I have had to wait for long periods to see a doctor, when a five minute video call would have solved my problem. It will not cause people to supplant their family physician, but could well serve as an adjunct to non-critical conditions.
Imagine such as service tied to Livongo. Now we have an entire network of medical professionals who are tied into telemetric data about your health. I don’t know how this could be anything but additive.
I am not going to go into numbers, I think Bert did an excellent job of covering that. I too worry about LVGO being diluted as a result of the acquisition, but also think the combination could lead to further growth for Teledoc, which has not been a slouch in its own right.
Gordon
Long Teledoc and Livongo