My Journey With Oshi: A Review of the Online GI Telehealth Process

Why Oshi?

I’ve struggled with digestive issues for as long as I can remember. Year after year, I bounced between different primary care physicians, only to leave with the same grumbling gut and yet another referral to a GI specialist. That might sound like progress, but in reality, it was a frustrating maze.

The biggest obstacle was insurance. Just trying to set up an appointment often meant hitting roadblock after roadblock. I’d finally get a referral, only to discover that the GI doctor wasn’t in my network, wasn’t accepting new patients, or no longer practiced at that clinic. On top of that, many of the specialists were far from my house and a long drive just to be seen in person which is not ideal when my digestive issues sometimes demand being close to a bathroom!

That’s when I discovered Oshi, a telehealth company specializing in gastrointestinal care. Oshi immediately stood out for its convenience and accessibility. A few things that appealed to me right away were:

• Fast access to expert GI specialists.
• Personalized attention from a team that understood gut health.
• Seamless referrals to dietitians, gut-behavior specialists, and lab testing, all arranged online.
• Convenience of completing lab work through local partners like LabCorp.

This combination of flexibility and end-to-end coordination made Oshi a compelling and, honestly, relieving option for finally getting the care I needed without the endless chasing, waiting, and second-guessing.

How It Works

The sign-up process with Oshi was surprisingly simple and user-friendly. I started by registering online and entering my basic personal information, medical history, current medications, and prior GI tests or treatments. The platform (both website and app) also let me highlight my main concerns, such as bloating, gas, irregular bowel habits, abdominal cramping, and GERD and upload any relevant medical records for review.

From there, I was able to schedule an appointment entirely online. The calendar was flexible, with a wide range of time slots to choose from. In the days leading up to the appointment, I completed a pre-visit questionnaire through the Oshi portal. It asked about the severity and frequency of my symptoms, my eating habits, stress levels, and previous scan results. This gave the specialist a chance to review my case in advance, so our actual appointment time could be spent focusing on solutions rather than backtracking through my history.

Overall, the entire setup process felt smooth, customized, and efficient which was a refreshing change from the frustrating cycle of referrals and red tape I had grown used to.

The First Appointment With the GI Specialist

On the day of my first appointment, I logged into the Oshi telehealth portal. The video interface was user-friendly and secure, and within minutes I was introduced to the GI specialist, who greeted me by name and spent the entire appointment actively listening, answering questions and asking questions to further understand me. 

What Made This Call Stand Out:

• Comprehensive Review: The specialist reviewed my intake forms and follow-through notes intently, asking clarifying questions about symptoms, timing, triggers, and past trials of diet or medications.
• Professional & Empathetic: He was knowledgeable but very easy to talk to, giving a sense that he was genuinely trying to help rather than hurry through.
• Diagnostic Plan: He outlined next steps clearly: basic lab work and stool sample for markers of inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and common GI-related imbalances; a referral to one of Oshi’s Registered Dietitians for personalized gut-friendly nutrition; and a referral to an Oshi gut-behavior specialist to address stress-related gut-brain interactions.
• Clear Orders and Expectations: The specialist entered lab orders directly, triggered referrals electronically, and told me what to expect: timing of appointments, labs, and how follow-ups would proceed.

After the call, a detailed summary was uploaded directly to my patient portal. This included the specialist’s clinical notes, lab requisitions, and automatically generated referrals, along with links to educational resources tailored to my symptoms.

I’ve found it easiest to handle everything right within the Oshi app. Appointments, follow-up notes, and next steps are all stored in one place, and the layout makes it simple to navigate. Another feature I value is the built-in messaging system: if I ever need to reach out with a question or update, I can message my providers directly through the app. In fact, they encourage patients to stay connected between visits, which makes the care feel more accessible and continuous.

Referrals to RD and Gut Behavior Specialist

Within 24 hours, I received two additional appointment requests on the Oshi portal (I viewed them on the app) but also got emails telling me to go book them as well. 

1. Registered Dietitian (RD): So this is something I’m actually pretty passionate about. Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only healthcare professionals legally qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy. Unfortunately, many individuals practice outside their scope by using unregulated titles like “nutritionist” to gain trust, even though they often lack the training or credentials to give evidence-based, safe recommendations.

This is why I truly valued having access to a credentialed RD through Oshi. The RD I worked with specialized in gut-focused nutrition, which gave me confidence that her guidance would be both medically appropriate and tailored to my digestive health needs. Before booking, I was able to view her professional profile, which outlined her expertise and approach. From there, I could select an appointment slot directly in the Oshi scheduling tool. To my surprise and relief, I was able to book a session as soon as the following week, which is something that rarely happens in traditional care settings.

2. Gut Behavior Specialist: This professional focuses on the gut-brain connection, offering behavioral and stress-management techniques. Again, Oshi matched me quickly, and I saw options for telehealth available within days.

The referral workflows were seamless; no chasing paperwork or sending them things that I already explained in my first appointment. They had all the notes from my first visit and vice versa. Everything was visible in the portal, including upcoming appointment dates that would show once confirmed.

Lab Work & LabCorp Process

Next, I had to complete the lab work. Oshi sent digital lab requisitions, which I could either print or present via my phone. The portal also listed the nearest LabCorp locations and their hours.

Here’s how the process unfolded:

• Scheduling: I booked lab appointments online through LabCorp’s website using the Oshi-provided lab order details.
• At the Lab: No need to bring a doctor’s note since the Oshi portal’s lab requisition and my ID were sufficient. The phlebotomist had everything ready and completed the draw efficiently. They also provided me with a kit to take home and use for giving them stool samples. The phlebotomist explained how to use it in detail and told me how and when to bring it back. 
• Tracking Results: Within a few days, I got an email notification from Labcorp stating that my blood work results were done. I was able to view the results within my Labcorp portal easily. However, I did have to wait for the results of my stool sample until my follow up appointment with my GI specialist.

This synchronized workflow was so convenient and took a lot of mental weight off me.

Follow-Ups & Integrated Care

One of the things that stood out most to me about Oshi was how seamlessly everything came together after my initial labs were processed. Within just a day of receiving my results, the coordinated care system kicked in and made the next steps clear and easy to manage. Instead of chasing different providers or waiting weeks for follow-ups, everything was laid out in a logical order through the Oshi platform.

Coordinated Follow-Up Care

Through the app, I was able to view my scheduled follow-up with my GI specialist. Since I knew my stool results from LabCorp would take a few extra days, I simply rescheduled the appointment in the app to give the specialist enough time to review both the bloodwork and stool sample. By the time we met, he had a complete, integrated picture of my health: my lab results, my symptom reports, and input from both the registered dietitian and the GI behavioral specialist. This allowed him to create a personalized plan that combined biological data, lifestyle adjustments, and behavioral strategies. What impressed me most was the teamwork. Unlike some of my past experiences, Oshi’s specialists communicated with each other and coordinated directly with my GI specialist. That level of collaboration gave me confidence in both the accuracy and consistency of my treatment plan.

Appointment Reminders & Dashboard Updates

The app also sent me reminders for my upcoming sessions with the RD and behavioral specialist. My dashboard automatically updated with a clear “Next Steps” checklist, showing the order of care:

1. RD session
2. Behavioral session
3. Follow-up GI visit

Direct Messaging with the Care Team

Furthermore, one of the features of my care that I appreciated most was the ability to message my care team directly through the Oshi platform. I know this type of feature isn’t uncommon in today’s healthcare, but I had never used anything like it before. If a new question popped up, if my symptoms suddenly changed, or even if I simply wanted clarification on my care plan, I didn’t have to wait until the next appointment. I could send a secure message right in the app and expect a timely, thoughtful response.

The integrated design of the platform meant I never felt stranded or left to figure things out on my own. I really liked that Oshi put everything in one place. My lab orders, GI notes, nutrition guidance, behavioral support resources, and appointment scheduling all lived within the same online hub.

This not only streamlined the experience but also gave me peace of mind knowing that my entire care team could see the same information, collaborate easily, and respond quickly to any concerns. It felt less like I was “navigating the system” and more like the system was working for me.

Reflection on the Whole Process 

One of the greatest strengths of working with Oshi was the speed of access to care. I was able to secure my first GI appointment within a week, which is almost unheard of in traditional systems. On top of that, referrals to a dietitian and behavioral specialist were coordinated quickly, so I wasn’t left waiting for months between each step.

The entire process was fully digital, which eliminated the hassle of paperwork, faxes, or chasing down forms. Everything I needed, from scheduling and messaging to lab requisitions and clinical notes, was stored in one centralized portal. This made the experience seamless and easy to follow.

Another standout benefit was the holistic approach. Rather than tackling symptoms in isolation, Oshi brought together GI specialists, nutrition, and behavioral care into one cohesive plan. This meant I wasn’t just handed piecemeal solutions but was given a comprehensive strategy tailored to my needs. The convenience also can’t be overstated. Telehealth appointments saved me hours of commuting, and lab work could be completed locally through LabCorp, tying together in-person testing with virtual care.

That said, there were still a few considerations to keep in mind. Insurance and cost required some extra effort on my part; Oshi’s billing model and copays differed from what I was used to, and I had to double-check my coverage with my provider. I later found out that Oshi could have done that for me, so if I could do it again I’d probably just do that. In addition, because everything is delivered digitally, patients need a stable internet connection and some comfort with telehealth tools. For someone less tech-savvy, this could be a barrier.

Finally, while the follow-up workflow was smooth, it does require patients to be actively engaged. I had to take initiative in booking my dietitian and behavioral therapy sessions after the referrals came through. For me, this wasn’t an issue and the app made it easy, but it does highlight the importance of being proactive in managing one’s own care.

My Final Thoughts

In all, my experience with Oshi was highly positive. The process, from triaging symptoms to delivering comprehensive, multidisciplinary care, was seamless, efficient, and clearly patient-centered.

The key elements that made a difference:

1. User-friendly onboarding with pre-visit intake forms.
2. Quick and empathetic GI team consultation.
3. Automated referrals, concise communication, and fast lab coordination.
4. Integrated follow-up care, all in one digital environment.
   

I feel like I can confidently recommend Oshi to anyone dealing with GI concerns who wants streamlined, expert-led care without long wait times. My only recommendation? Get more insurance guidance up front from your plan or one of Oshi’s billing specialists. But otherwise, I think this telehealth model sets a high bar for coordinated care.