Aetna, the insurer owned by CVS Health, on Thursday announced a value-based care partnership with digital gastrointestinal care startup Oshi Health. 

Oshi offers virtual access to a team of providers – including a gastroenterologist, dietitian, behavioral health clinician and a health coach – to patients with digestive concerns like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. Patients also have access to symptom tracking and instant messaging with their providers. 

Aetna said members in select commercial plans will have access to Oshi as an in-network provider. The partners said the first phase of their collaboration will start with commercial members in Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. They plan to add new states this year. 

"Adding Oshi to our differentiated provider network will help us offer integrated, whole-person care for gastrointestinal (GI) conditions – all done virtually so that members have convenient access," Bill Lamoreaux, senior vice president of Aetna network strategy and provider experience, said in a statement. "Our collaboration with Oshi opens the door to coordinated virtual digestive care for our members."

THE LARGER TREND

Oshi began as a management and tracking app for inflammatory bowel disease patients, and in 2020 launched as a virtual gastrointestinal care company. In 2021, Oshi raised $23 million in Series A funding, which included a strategic investment from CVS Health Ventures.

The company has since announced partnerships with care coordination company Quantum Health, virtual care company Firefly Health and digital health marketplace Solera Health. 

Another digital health startup that recently entered a value-based care partnership is Homeward, a hybrid provider that focuses on rural communities. In February, the company announced it would work with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to offer services to Medicare Advantage members in 24 counties outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Darren Mann, Kathryn Kuttler and Dr. Peter Haug will offer more detail during the HIMSS23 session "Improved Patient Care Enabled by Real-Time Interoperable Clinical Decision Support." It is schedule for Thursday, April 20 at 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. CT at the South Building, Level 1, room S105 C.