#United States #Cincinnati #Telehealth #LiverRight #Hepatology

LiverRight Launches the Extend™ Telehealth Service for Gastroenterology Practices

CINCINNATI, April 3, 2025 — LiverRight, the pioneering virtual clinic for liver health in America, has unveiled its latest initiative: the Extend™ service. This innovative move is designed specifically to aid gastroenterology (GI) practices in providing prompt care to patients at risk of Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD), as highlighted by the American Liver Foundation, which estimates over 75 million adults in the United States live with some undiagnosed form of this condition.

Addressing a Growing Health Challenge

The prevalence of liver diseases, particularly SLD, is alarming, with many individuals at risk developing severe complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Currently, the challenge in diagnosing and treating these conditions stems from a significant shortage of hepatologists—the specialists who manage liver diseases—and limited access to diagnostic equipment across the country. In fact, it's estimated there is only one hepatologist for every 40,000 patients in the US, and approximately 1,500 liver scanning devices available nationwide.

In light of these challenges, the LiverRight Extend™ program seeks to streamline the diagnostic process for gastroenterology practices. This new service facilitates same-week telemedicine consultations, enabling patients to connect with licensed hepatology professionals via video visits shortly after they express interest in care.

How the Extend™ Service Works

The Extend™ service also integrates advanced technology into the patient care process. Participating GI practices will have access to ultrasound liver scanning technologies at their locations. This allows for timely diagnoses, with LiverRight’s specialists able to interpret scans on the same day they are conducted.

Upon assessment, if a patient is diagnosed with low or high acuity liver disease, such as Hepatitis or Fatty Liver Disease, LiverRight can either refer the patient back to the practice for in-person treatment or manage their ongoing care via virtual visits, ensuring that all documentation is recorded within the GI practice's electronic medical records (EMR).

Brandon Tudor, CEO of LiverRight, emphasized the significance of this program: “GI practices are often the first point of contact for patients seeking liver health solutions. Our Extend™ offering will provide quicker access for the millions suffering from undiagnosed liver diseases and create new revenue streams for our practice partners.”

Revenue Opportunities for Gastroenterology Practices

The Extend™ service presents a substantial opportunity for GI practices to enhance their revenue through:
1. Telemedicine visit fees for virtual patient triage and follow-up.
2. Ultrasound liver scans conducted at the practice locations.
3. Additional clinical trials within GI and hepatology.
4. Increased revenue from colonoscopy, endoscopy, and other GI-related procedures.

Warren Savitz, vice president of partnerships at LiverRight, adds, “Our hepatology providers will empower GI practices by allowing them to manage their billing, directly recognizing revenue while broadening their patient catchment area through virtual consultations, preventing patients from needing travel for appointments.”

Nationwide Availability and Upcoming Webinar

The Extend™ program is accessible to both large and small practices across all fifty states in the US and can be implemented within three months of interest. Additionally, LiverRight is hosting an informative webinar on April 16, 2025, where GI practitioners can learn more about integrating the Extend™ service into their practices. Registrations can be made by contacting Warren Savitz at LiverRight.

About LiverRight

LiverRight is committed to improving the lives of individuals impacted by liver disease through timely diagnosis and delivering superior long-term care. Striving for better health outcomes while reducing costs, recognizes the critical needs of patients and healthcare providers alike. For more information about the Extend™ service or to understand how it can benefit your practice, visit www.liverright.com.