This morning Consumer Medical, a clinic-decision-support and second-opinions company, announced that it purchased virtual-specialist medical-opinion company InfiniteMD. 

Boston-based InfiniteMD was founded in 2015 and was designed to help patients get more information about their condition via virtual visits.

When a patient uses the service, they can ask for doctors to evaluate their diagnosis, review alternative treatment plans, compare medications available, look at alternatives to surgery and check radiology images. 

Similarly, Consumer Medical also supports second opinions. The 24-year old company also helps patients navigate the medical system. 

WHY IT MATTERS 

This acquisition will merge the technology of InfiniteMD and Consumer Medical. The companies are pitching this as a way to expand access to second opinions, and expand its geographical footprint. 

"We launched InfiniteMD with the premise of building the best technology-enabled expert opinion service,” Christopher Lee, COO and cofounder of InfiniteMD, said in a statement. “Over the past few years, we have refined the InfiniteMD platform, established formal partnerships with the nation's leading medical centers, and optimized the most user-friendly experience for both patients and expert physicians. By joining forces, we're creating the strongest and most comprehensive offering in the delivery of decision-support via digital health.”

THE LARGER TREND 

The second-opinion space has a long history in digital health. One of big names in the space is Grand Rounds, which was founded in 2011. By 2015 the company had scored $106 million in venture funding.

Some of the big names in telehealth have also been interested in the space. In 2017, Teladoc purchased Best Doctors, a connected care platform focused on improving outcomes for some of the most complex medical conditions for over $400 million.