#475 – Aniq Rahman, CEO at Fabric

Introduction to Fabric’s Vision

Aniq Rahman, CEO and founder of Fabric, joined the Slice of Healthcare podcast to discuss how his company is reshaping the healthcare experience by creating a seamless journey for patients. Fabric, a healthcare solutions company founded three and a half years ago, is building a unique end-to-end care enablement platform. Rahman describes Fabric’s services as a “digital front door” that helps patients access, navigate, and manage their healthcare, whether through AI-driven virtual care, patient engagement tools, or administrative support.

A Strategic Approach to Growth: Build vs. Buy

Fabric has grown significantly through both product innovation and strategic acquisitions. Notable purchases include Zipnosis, a virtual care company, and Walmart’s virtual care business. By combining these assets with internally developed products, Fabric has expanded its reach across health systems, payers, and employers. Rahman highlights the need for Fabric to offer diverse, adaptable solutions for healthcare providers and patients, citing the company’s move toward an integrated, multi-specialty care platform. He explains that a combination of software and services is essential to tackle complex healthcare challenges across various touchpoints.

Revolutionizing Patient Access and Experience

Fabric is enhancing patient access to care with various services, including:

• Virtual Care and Triage: Fabric’s virtual care platform, developed from the Zipnosis acquisition, supports asynchronous and synchronous interactions. This allows patients to receive rapid virtual assessments, reducing emergency department visits for non-urgent issues.
• In-Person Experience and Post-Discharge Engagement: With tools designed to streamline processes in emergency departments and clinics, Fabric is helping to reduce wait times, enhance patient follow-up, and improve overall care outcomes. For instance, Fabric’s technology has been shown to save patients up to 30 minutes on average in ER visits.
• Provider Search and Directory: Fabric’s upcoming provider directory tool will support patients in locating and scheduling with the right providers, offering an efficient search experience.

The Impact of Automation in Healthcare

Automation and AI play a central role in Fabric’s approach to patient care, simplifying various stages of the healthcare journey. Fabric’s adaptive interview protocols, for example, enable providers to assess patients efficiently and accurately, making virtual care visits possible in under 90 seconds. The technology also helps relieve some of the administrative burdens on healthcare workers, allowing staff to focus on in-person care delivery and patient support.

For Rahman, this technology not only supports patient engagement but also cuts costs and reduces labor demands in areas where healthcare systems are struggling with workforce shortages. Fabric’s automated follow-up program, which checks in on patients after discharge via text, has significantly boosted engagement rates, saving a partner health system millions in staffing costs and reducing readmission penalties.

What’s Next for Fabric?

Looking forward, Rahman is excited about further integrating Fabric’s growing suite of services. Despite a busy 18 months filled with acquisitions, he notes that the company will continue to seek strategic partnerships, new product launches, and innovative acquisitions that align with its goals. Rahman shared that Fabric’s next major release—a provider directory and search function—aims to streamline patient navigation further, helping them locate, learn about, and book with the most appropriate providers.

By taking a holistic approach to care enablement, Fabric under Rahman’s leadership is making strides toward a comprehensive, connected healthcare experience, helping health systems, employers, and patients access the care they need more efficiently.