New medical association promises to save $billions in medical expenses

The hospitals are organized. The doctors are organized. The Insurance companies are organized. The drug companies are organized. Every facet of the medical delivery system is organized, but the patients. Not anymore.

Today, the formation of the National Association of Patients with Similar Symptoms (NAPSS) was announced. In this system, patients with similar symptoms are connected through the association’s similar symptom social networking website. Images of bruises, cuts, abrasions, lacerations, swollen tissue and broken bones are uploaded to the site. Backed by more than $20 million in venture capital, the NAPSS founding team has developed a text and image relational database that identifies and aggregates into a single actuarial pool, members with similar symptoms.  The NAPSS business model is patterned after the successful Match.com which matches people of similar interests. NAPSS membership is $100 per year.

Using a random number NAPSS proprietary sequencing algorithm, one member representing all the members of a  similar symptoms actuarial database is selected to go to the doctor for diagnosis. Once the diagnosis has been made the member posts the Doctor’s diagnosis on the NAPSS website for other members with similar symptoms to copy. 

The system was beta tested recently in Palm Springs, California by a national senior tennis team. The team was selected for a trial analysis because many players had been bothered by leg pains after playing three sets of strenuous tennis. Following the NAPSS model and using a  comprehensive beta test program, one player was randomly selected to go in for tests. He did. The doctor performed an MRI, echocardiogram, Cat scan, blood work-up, Gastroscopy and numerous other tests at a cost of $13,500, which was paid 100% by Medicare. 

In accordance with the NAPSS model, the selected player posted the diagnosis on the NAPSS Website, which was “Take 3 Advil a day for five days and stop playing tennis until the leg feels better.” NAPSS claims that if all players had gone to the doctor, the insurance bill would have totaled more than $200,000. NAPSS claims a saving of approximately $190,000. NAPSS is currently conducting beta tests now for the common cold, sore throat, flu, diarrhea and upset stomach.

NAPSS is a privately held company in California.