Digital gastrointestinal health company Vivante Health has signed a national distribution contract with health insurer UnitedHealthcare, becoming the first digestive solution on the UHC Hub.

Vivante's GIThrive platform provides personalized care plans and allows patients to track their symptoms and access educational content and self-guided behavioral health modules. A coordinated team of providers is also available through the outlet, including coaches, dietitians and health physicians.

The Illinois-based will be available to UHC customers, including its self-funded employers. It becomes the first digestive health offering on the UHC Hub, which provides a network of vendors assisting organizations in selecting, managing and purchasing healthcare benefits. 

"There are so many people who are suffering from debilitating conditions like GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as undiagnosed gastrointestinal ailments that can affect their ability to live normal lives," Bill Snyder, CEO of Vivante Health, said in a statement. "Partnering with UHC gives us the opportunity to reach individuals who are looking for an effective solution that provides real-time care and personalized support that can give them their lives back."   

THE LARGER TREND

In the U.S., 60 to 70 million people are affected by digestive diseases, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 

The GI health company closed a $31 million Series B funding round in September, just one year after it scored $16 million in Series A funding last year. The company secured $5.8 million in Series A1 investment in 2020 and $6 million in 2018. 

In 2022, Vivante was added to the digital health platform Solera Health, which offers a marketplace for benefits and chronic disease management programs. Fellow digital gastrointestinal health company Oshi Health also joined Solera's marketplace. 

Other companies in the virtual gastrointestinal space include Berlin-based Cara Care, which provides an app focused on addressing gastrointestinal issues, and London-based digital therapeutics company for gastrointestinal conditions, Bold Health.