American seniors experience just a single healthy birthday after the age of 65. The growing gap between healthspan and lifespan is driving Medicare Advantage plans, ACOs, and other senior-focused health care organizations to identify new ways to engage members in their care in order to improve Star Ratings and reduce costs. At the same time, seniors are increasingly open to technology-enabled services that can help them maintain independence and age well.

Bold’s new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sandeep Palakodeti, joins us to help continue our work to do just that. A seasoned physician-executive, Dr. Palakodeti brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of value-based care, longevity medicine, and healthcare innovation. Prior to joining Bold, he was the founding chief medical officer of Hopscotch Health, a primary-care company focused on rural populations, and has also held leadership positions at Mayo Clinic, University Hospitals, and CareMore Health. 

Dr. Palakodeti received his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees from Wright State University, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Kaiser Permanente, and did his fellowship in Healthcare Innovation at Harvard Medical School.

We spoke with Dr. Palakodeti about his joining Bold and his vision for the role.

Why Bold?

I’m impressed by any company that’s building in health care and has authentic love from its users. Bold members truly love Bold, and that is the foundation for making a real impact on some of the deeply entrenched challenges in American health care.

I’ve also been around long enough to know that there’s still a lot that needs to be layered onto that to earn the trust of payers, providers, and other organizations that can enable real scale. And Bold has that, too. More than 12 million seniors have access to Bold at no cost through either their Medicare Advantage plan or their provider today. It’s the deep engagement with seniors combined with the awesome scale that makes being at Bold so exciting at this moment, along with the remarkable team we’ve brought together. This is a company that’s ready for the sea change coming for health care. I could not be more thrilled to be here.

What do you see as the role of AI in Bold’s care model?

Bold’s vision for age-friendly AI is refreshing. (I was going to say ‘bold,’ but I know you all get that a lot!) It’s less about taking on every last clinical action with software and more about enabling the art of doctoring. Medicine is a field that attracts brilliant people, to be sure, but also deeply compassionate individuals who take an oath to always do right by their patients. Bold is building a special place for them to practice, and that comes in large part from how intentional the company is about the role of technology in supporting sound clinical decisions and ensuring patients feel seen, heard, and supported across the agespan.

What does your role mean for Bold’s partners — Medicare Advantage plans, ACOs, and other senior-focused health care companies?

We are doubling down on driving the outcomes that matter most to our partners, who are some of the most sophisticated payers, providers, and payviders in the country. That means continuing to lead on adapting to the new Stars regime, which is putting an increased focus on outcomes and members’ experience of care. It means addressing the chronic pain epidemic through a purpose-built platform for MSK. Responding to the new regime around GLP-1s, which have powerful potential for seniors but come with real risks. Medicare organizations need a partner that can address all of these things — it’s a time for platforms. And Bold is that platform.

What do you want to say to Bold’s members?

I’m delighted to be a part of this vibrant community. The ways in which people use Bold inspire me. We hear every day about members who have real challenges but they are determined to keep moving forward and they’ve found, in Bold, a place that supports them in doing that. I am excited to be a part of a team that cares so deeply about each and every member, takes the time to listen and learn, and then, most importantly, puts those lessons into practice. Most of all, though, I want our members to know that we’re here for them no matter what. This is their place.