#82 - Ownership, Flexibility & Solving Medication Access: The Refill Genie Story

This episode is sponsored by NURP NURP helps busy physicians grow their wealth through AI-powered algorithmic trading designed for demanding careers. No day trading, no guesswork, and no constant market watching required.  Ready to put your money to work? Visit start.nurp.com/doctors  to learn more.  Trading involves risk, and results may vary. This is not financial advice. __________________________________ In this episode of Telemedicine Talks, Dr. Steve Kelly discusses his transition from emergency medicine to telehealth and entrepreneurship. After years of ER shifts, locum tenens, and per diem work, Steve eventually went all-in on virtual care. Steve explains how he founded Refill Genie to address a common, high-impact problem: patients losing access to essential chronic medications (especially blood-pressure meds) and ending up in the ER or simply going without. Drawing on experience across video and asynchronous platforms, he focused on “bridge” refills and chronic-care access that many telehealth companies avoid. The conversation covers the mental shift away from the “ER doc” identity, the value of meaning found in preventing unnecessary ER visits, and the practical steps of building a company: using existing HIPAA-compliant tools instead of custom software, hiring freelancers via Upwork, navigating multi-state licensing and corporate structures (PC/MSO), and prioritizing clinical quality amid regulatory gray areas. Steve emphasizes starting small, learning on the fly, and maintaining high standards so that any scrutiny finds good patient care at the core. Listeners will hear honest advice on risk tolerance, compliance realities across 49+ states, and why asking more questions (not fewer) is the advice he would give his intern self. Top 3 Takeaways: Reclaim ownership of time and career: Locums and telehealth offered control that full-time hospital work lacked; the shift from ER identity to telehealth entrepreneur was gradual but ultimately freeing and meaningful. Solve one tangible problem: Refill Genie grew from a recurring ER observation, patients off essential meds due to access barriers,into a focused telehealth service that prevents downstream harm. Bootstrap smart and prioritize quality: Use existing compliant tools, freelancers, and incremental growth instead of waiting for perfect systems or VC money; clinical quality remains the best protection when navigating multi-state rules.   About the Show: Telemedicine Talks explores the evolving world of digital health, helping physicians navigate new opportunities, regulatory challenges, and career transitions in telemedicine About the Guest: Dr. Steve Kelly is a former emergency medicine physician who trained at Baystate in Massachusetts. After years of full-time ER work, locum tenens, and part-time telehealth, he founded Refill Genie, a multi-state telehealth company focused on medication access and bridge refills for chronic conditions. He now works full-time in telehealth (roughly 60% running Refill Genie) and is actively hiring physicians with multiple state licenses. Connect with Dr. Steve Kelly: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Search “Steve Kelly” / Refill Genie Currently hiring physicians with multiple state licenses About the Hosts: Dr. Leo Damasco – Pediatrician and emergency medicine doctor turned telemedicine advocate, helping physicians transition to digital health. Phoebe Gutierrez – Former state regulator turned telehealth executive, specializing in compliance and sustainable virtual care models. Connect with Phoebe Gutierrez:   https://www.linkedIn.com/in/pkgutierrez/    [email protected]  (mailto:[email protected])   The information provided in Telemedicine Talks is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, legal, or financial advice. While we discuss best practices, industry trends, and real-world experiences, every situation is unique. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals before making decisions related to telemedicine practice, compliance, contracts, or business operations. The views expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they may be affiliated with. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.