Cortina Health
The All-encompassing Dermatology Care

The demand for effective dermatological care continues to rise. Yet, dermatologists in the U.S. are unevenly distributed — 35 percent are concentrated in the 100 most densely populated areas, while only 1.5 percent serve the least populated regions. This leaves many healthcare systems without access to full-time dermatology services, as 75 percent of dermatologists work in small, private practices. And it’s not just hospitals feeling the pinch—outpatient clinics and GPs are overwhelmed too, with up to one in four patients needing dermatological care immediately after an initial general consultation.

As an end-to-end dermatology care provider, Cortina Health has stepped in to resolve these supply and demand challenges in the healthcare world. Five years since its founding, it has earned a reputation for using tele-dermatology to deliver democratized care through board-certified, U.S.-based dermatologists. Today, it stands as one of the nation's largest tele-dermatology providers, offering care in all 50 states and for all age groups, including infants, teens, and elderly patients.

“We are on a mission to democratize dermatology care by making high-quality, affordable, and on-demand dermatological care accessible to everyone across the U.S,” says Reid A. Maclellan, M.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Bridging the Gap Between Virtual and In-Person Care

Cortina’s HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform allows its dermatologists to consult on over 3,000 skin conditions, such as acne, rosacea, dark spots, and hair loss, virtually and provide a diagnosis and personalized treatment plan directly from the primary care office.

Once a doctor refers a patient, the consultation can begin. Patients answer questions and submit photos, and Cortina's advanced image-processing technology ensures all the necessary data is captured for board-certified dermatologists to review. Cortina's next-generation technology streamlines patient care, allowing dermatologists to deliver comprehensive treatment within 24 hours of initial case submission.

Cortina offers both asynchronous (store-and-forward, text) and synchronous (live video or phone) consultations, making the process flexible and efficient. The ability to deliver care within 24 hours of the patient submitting a case drastically reduces the typical wait time of up to six months—a game-changer in an industry where long lead times are the norm.

The company's approach isn’t solely virtual. Recognizing that in-person care is sometimes essential, it has begun building Cortina-branded dermatology clinics nationwide to provide personalized, in-office care, with plans to expand over the next five to ten years. Each clinic is grounded in Cortina’s patient-first philosophy, using cutting-edge technology to ensure top-quality care.

The Cortina Impact

Cortina’s impact extends beyond individual patients, as evidenced by several success stories with healthcare systems and benefits providers.

In one instance, a benefits provider offering general medicine, IVF, and mental health benefits reached out to Cortina after receiving feedback from members expressing the need for dermatology services. They initiated a one-month pilot with Cortina, which resulted in a 3 percent increase in membership usage—an impressive achievement given the typically slow adoption rates in such programs. The pilot’s success led the provider to sign an exclusive contract with Cortina, making it their go-to dermatology solution for all of their members.

Similarly, Cortina has been approached by multiple healthcare systems looking to integrate dermatology services into their offerings. Thanks to its technology-first approach, Cortina’s platform easily integrates with various electronic health records (EHR) and practice management systems, whether off-the-shelf or custom-built by healthcare providers. This flexibility enables true continuity of care, allowing general practitioners and specialists to access detailed notes from Cortina’s dermatologists, ensuring seamless patient care across different areas of medicine. Such integration has been a key factor in Cortina's growing list of partnerships with hospitals and healthcare networks.

Cortina's partners extend beyond healthcare systems and benefit providers to include employer groups and organizations such as the NFL Alumni Association. “Our partnership with Cortina Health elevates our commitment to the well-being of our alumni and the communities we serve. Cortina’s dedication to skin health aligns with our mission, providing a unique health care solution for our members,” says Brad Edwards, CEO of the NFL Alumni Association.

Expert-Led Consultations

Cortina exclusively partners with U.S. board-certified dermatologists to provide care.

“At Cortina, we only work with the best because tele-dermatology—diagnosing skin conditions virtually—is challenging. Unlike in-person visits, where doctors can assess skin from multiple angles, tele-dermatology is a two-dimensional task that demands highly skilled professionals,” says Dr. Maclellan.

This expert-only consultation model has consistently yielded a 97 percent patient satisfaction rate, reflecting the company’s high standard of care.

Furthermore, endorsements from leading experts add to Cortina's service excellence. Dr. Muneeb Shah, the foremost dermatology influencer with over 22 million followers, has endorsed Cortina as the only tele-dermatology provider effectively executing best practices. His endorsement underscores the exceptional quality of service Cortina offers. “As an advisor, investor, and strong advocate for Cortina, I believe in making quality dermatologic care accessible to everyone. Even if you don’t have in-person access to a board-certified dermatologist, you can visit CortinaHealth.com 24/7 for expert treatment of over 3,000 skin conditions, including hair loss, all from the convenience of your home. It’s a seamless and innovative way to prioritize your skin health,” says U.S. board-certified dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah.

Through its state-of-the-art technology, innovative care approaches, and strategic partnerships, the company is setting a new gold standard in dermatology care.

The New Frontier for Personalized Dermatology Care

As a comprehensive service provider, Cortina’s offerings encompass both retail and compounding pharmacies, giving patients access to customized medications when needed.

“We empower our dermatologists to provide the highest level of care for their patients,” says Dr. Maclellan.

He further adds that while compounding pharmacies may not be top of mind for everyone, they are an integral part of dermatology. When a dermatologist assesses a patient's condition—taking into account their medical history, skin type, tone, and any potential allergies—they may find that the best course of action is to create a custom solution. Instead of prescribing a handful of FDA-approved medications, they can combine several FDA-approved active ingredients into a single, personalized topical treatment that fits the patient's exact needs.

Cortina collaborates with a 503A-regulated compounding pharmacy, giving board-certified dermatologists the flexibility to tailor treatments directly for their patients. This approach emphasizes individualized care and reduces the hassle of managing multiple products, enhancing patient adherence. Cortina also offers a retail pharmacy option to fulfil generic as well as brand-name prescriptions when needed. The Cortina dermatologist always works directly with the patient to determine what will be the best treatment for the patient.

What truly sets Cortina apart is the convenience of its mail-order pharmacy. Whether providing customized compounded medications or standard prescriptions, patients benefit from having their treatments shipped directly to their homes. This eliminates the stress of last-minute pharmacy visits or concerns about running out of medication before important events.

Cortina proactively monitors patients' skin, hair, and nail health, reflecting the holistic nature of dermatology. This continuous support fosters adherence to treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific skincare needs. In addition to prescription meds, through strategic partnerships with renowned skincare brands, it offers everyday skincare products like face washes, toners and sunscreens.

Navigating the Regulatory Maze

Cortina has made regulatory compliance a foundational pillar of its service excellence.

For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily relaxed certain telemedicine regulations, Cortina chose not to rely on these relaxed rules. Instead, the company built its tele-dermatology platform in strict adherence to the most rigorous standards, ensuring long-term compliance.

Similarly, while some telemedicine companies bypassed state licensing requirements for doctors during the pandemic, Cortina required its dermatologists to hold valid licenses in the states where their patients resided. This commitment to regulatory compliance extends to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), with Cortina only developing HIPAA-compliant tools to protect patient privacy from the start.

Recently, Cortina expanded its services to include care for patients under 18, a highly regulated area with state-specific rules regarding consent. Its legal team meticulously reviews regulations in all 50 states to ensure compliance, demonstrating a proactive approach to regulatory oversight. The company also continually monitors the expiration of medical licenses for its team of dermatologists, ensuring they remain up to date.

Expansion Plans and Continued Growth

Cortina Health has ambitious plans for the future, aiming to extend its reach and broaden its service lines. Over the next 18 months, the company plans to expand its capabilities from teledermatology to include brick-and-mortar dermatology clinics, creating a hybrid model of care. This will allow patients to start their care journey online and transition to in-person visits when necessary for procedures like biopsies, surgeries, or injections.

The hybrid model offers patients flexibility, enabling them to choose whether to continue care virtually or visit a clinic in person. Cortina plans to bring its cutting-edge technology into these physical clinics, ensuring that patients experience the same seamless care, whether virtually or in person.

Cortina Health is gearing up to expand its partnerships with healthcare systems across the United States, helping democratize access to dermatological care. By integrating teledermatology services with broader healthcare networks, Cortina is well-positioned to lead the next wave of innovation in the dermatology sector.