Introduction to Autoimmune Care
WellTheory announced this week that, in its first deal with a payer, the company will provide Sentara Health Plans’ nearly one million members in Virginia and Florida with access to a dedicated care team providing 12 months of autoimmune care.
Why It Matters
Once members join WellTheory’s platform, they can start their virtual care journey with root cause assessments that can uncover what’s driving their autoimmune symptoms. The platform can help patients "suffering in silence" address hard-to-pinpoint autoimmune reactions, reducing their reliance on medications that treat symptoms, missed work days and healthcare costs. The platform could also lower overall medical costs for health plans and employers, says Ellen Rudolph, the company’s CEO and cofounder.
Personalized Care Plans
The proprietary patient assessment is delivered by a dedicated care team, including a licensed registered dietitian, a board-certified health coach and a care coordinator, WellTheory said. Once the team uncovers the drivers of each member’s symptoms, they create personalized care plans that include one-on-one video visits, unlimited messaging and access to digital tools. Sentara’s members will receive the insurance-covered, high-touch services for a six-month intensive phase followed by six months of maintenance support, WellTheory said.
The Larger Trend
WellTheory launched its consumer platform in 2023 to support the 50 million Americans suffering from autoimmune diseases with 12-week programs designed to improve symptoms of fatigue, pain and more. Data gleaned from the consumer platform found users were "relying less on expensive medications and missing fewer days of work," Rudolph noted at the time. Since those reductions realize savings to health plans and self-funded employers, Rudolph explained that WellTheory was forging partnerships to expand access to the platform through self-funded employers and payers.
Expansion and Partnerships
By 2024, the company launched its first employer partnership with virtual provider Maven Clinic, which offers two virtual visits and unlimited messaging with WellTheory’s autoimmune disease coaches. Then, last month, WellTheory raised $5 million to further the platform’s artificial intelligence capabilities. AI is helping healthcare providers decipher and diagnose the inflammatory pathways that trigger various autoimmune diseases, according to the Global Autoimmune Institute.
On the Record
"Autoimmune disease is one of the biggest cost drivers in healthcare today – and yet most people still go years without a diagnosis or effective treatment," Rudolph said in a statement. "By partnering with WellTheory, we’re taking an important step in offering our members personalized solutions that meet them where they are – especially those navigating the complexities of autoimmune disease," Greifer added.
Conclusion
WellTheory’s partnership with Sentara Health Plans is a significant step towards providing personalized autoimmune care to a large number of people. With the help of AI-powered technology, the company aims to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see more innovative solutions like WellTheory’s platform.
FAQs
- Q: What is WellTheory’s platform?
A: WellTheory’s platform provides personalized autoimmune care through virtual root cause assessments, one-on-one video visits, unlimited messaging, and access to digital tools. - Q: How many people will have access to WellTheory’s platform through Sentara Health Plans?
A: Nearly one million members in Virginia and Florida will have access to WellTheory’s platform. - Q: What is the goal of WellTheory’s platform?
A: The goal of WellTheory’s platform is to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes by providing personalized autoimmune care. - Q: How does WellTheory’s platform use AI?
A: WellTheory’s platform uses AI to scale care while deeply tailoring it to each member’s needs, and to decipher and diagnose the inflammatory pathways that trigger various autoimmune diseases.
