As we close out 2025, healthcare stands at an inflection point. Long‑awaited policy progress — from expanded rural health initiatives to continued first‑dollar telehealth coverage — is opening the door to broader, more equitable access to care. The real question now is how we, as an industry, step forward and turn this momentum into meaningful change.
In a recent feature in MedCity News, Dr. Cole Barfield, Chief Medical Officer at First Stop Health, explores why this moment matters — and how virtual care can play a critical role in transforming access, affordability, and continuity of care for millions of Americans.
About First Stop Health
On a mission to deliver affordable, delightful healthcare for all, First Stop Health provides connected, whole-person virtual care to employers 24/7 through app, website, or phone in all 50 states. First Stop Health prioritizes an engaging and easy-to-use experience, setting people on healthier journeys through care at multiple stages. Patients can access a licensed telemedicine doctor in minutes for urgent and on-demand needs and can schedule appointments with experienced providers for mental healthcare, chronic care, and preventive care. First Stop Health’s flexible and turnkey solutions give mid-sized employers an affordable and meaningful benefit for their workforce. First Stop Health has been named one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces from 2022-2025 and has ranked among the fastest-growing private companies for eight consecutive years.
Table of contents
