Priority Health, a nonprofit health plan, is teaming up with Ayble Health to provide digestive health support to its members, the companies announced on Wednesday.
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Priority Health has more than 1.3 million members. Starting June 1, Priority Health members with a MyPriority HMO or employer health plan will be able to receive virtual gastrointestinal (GI) care through Ayble Health for various conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or hemorrhoids.
With Ayble Health, Priority Health members can access a care team that includes providers, dietitians, psychologists, coaches and clinical pharmacists. They’ll also receive personalized nutrition plans to help them avoid trigger foods, as well as AI-enabled educational content on gastrointestinal health.
In addition, they gain behavioral health support, such as guided audio sessions, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, and meditation and breathing exercises.
Priority Health selected Ayble Health as a partner “because of their proven expertise in augmenting and extending provider care teams through AI-enabled virtual care,” said Alicia Coronas, vice president of employer solutions product and marketing at Priority Health, in an email. “Ayble enhances our existing network with advanced nutrition tools and GI psychology education and exercises, and we were impressed with the results of their approach, which has been shown to significantly reduce GI symptoms in patients.”
Ayble Heath is addressing a major market. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, 40% of Americans stop routine activities due to uncomfortable bowel syndromes. And many are uncomfortable speaking about it with their doctor, with one in three saying they only discuss their bowel symptoms if their physician brings it up first.
For employers and health plans, GI conditions are also a major driver of cost, according to Sam Jactel, CEO and founder of Ayble Health.
“Digestive health is characterized by extremely high prevalence (25% of a commercially insured population, double the prevalence of diabetes), high utilization of unplanned care (GI is the No. 1 cause of avoidable ED visits), significant drug spend (especially with steroids and biologics), and generally poor outcomes,” Jactel said in an email. “For an employer, GI is the No. 2 most frequent reason for short-term disability leave and is responsible for 108 days of impacted productivity per year.”
Coronas echoed these cost challenges, stating that Priority has seen the cost and prevalence of digestive health issues rise year over year and that it is one of the most common reasons for ER visits among its members. By working with Ayble, the insurer ultimately “aims to prevent chronic health issues, encourage healthier lifestyles and ensure members receive top-notch care for their digestive well-being.”
Other companies focused on gastrointestinal care include Oshi Health and Cylinder Health.
Photo: mikdam, Getty Images
