Three telehealth deals have been announced in the first six weeks of 2017, an indication that this sub-sector of digital health is on track to set a(nother) M&A record. In 2016, eight of these deals were announced, an increase of 100% compared with 2014 and 60% versus 2015.

Telehealth is loosely defined as the use of technology to support long-distance clinical healthcare. Some examples include live video between a patient and healthcare provider, transmission of medical images to a specialist, and remote monitoring which allows patients and providers to track vitals and manage chronic conditions.

On February 2nd, 2017, Specialists On Call, Inc., a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus LLC, and provider of neurology, psychiatry, critical care and managed services solutions, acquired privately-held NeuroCall, Inc. NeuroCall, Inc. provides tele-stroke, and tele-neurology services to acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals and freestanding emergency rooms. The company also provides general neurology coverage via two-way real time video consultation. The combined organization will cover more than 350 acute care hospitals and systems nationwide for tele-neurology consultations. The price was not disclosed.

On January 31, 2017,  InTouch Health Technologies Inc. purchased privately-held C30 Medical Corporation for an undisclosed price. C30 is a physician-led telemedicine management and physician coverage provider consisting of specialists in emergent tele-neurology and tele-neurocritical care. C30’s physicians provide support to health systems throughout six U.S. states. The acquisition will expand InTouch’s ability to assist health systems in managing physician shortages.