SimpleHealth has snapped up fellow digital reproductive care company Emme for an undisclosed sum. 

Both companies use telehealth to provide customers with birth control. Emme initially launched with a birth-control-tracking smart case and app in August 2020. The case includes sensors designed to help customers track their usage and provide reminders. The company's app lets users track symptoms and cycles. 

In June 2021, the company emerged with a new prescription-delivery and telemedicine service, dubbed EmmeRx, that was focused on providing customers with contraception. 

Similarly SimpleHealth's platform lets users fill out an online consultation, which is then reviewed by a doctor. If appropriate, a prescription is shipped to a client's home. 

SimpleHealth noted that the acquisition is expected to help the New York-based startup expand its contraception-delivery and telehealth services. This acquisition will also integrate Emme's smart case and app into SimpleHealth's current offerings. 

Carrie SiuButt, CEO at SimpleHealth, also indicated that the acquisition will help the company continue to expand its focus to the "reproductive life cycle."

WHY IT MATTERS 

Access to contraception has been a hot topic over the last decade. Federal law requires insurance companies to cover contraceptive methods and counseling for all women.  

However there are still many barriers to care. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 49% of pregnancies are unintended. The organization reports that unintended pregnancies in the U.S. resulted in $12.5 billion in government expenditure in 2008. 

THE LARGER TREND 

Today there are a number of companies using virtual-care models to provide birth control care. Nurx is a virtual-care company that provides users with home health tests, birth control and other women's health needs.

Over the last year, the company has expanded to include morning-after pill and rosacea care services. In September, the company teamed up with tech giant Amazon on a new Alexa Skill aimed at helping users take their birth control on time and providing sex education. The company currently has $113 million in venture funding. It recently announced plans to merge with the chronic condition-focused Thirty Madison. 

Another player in the birth control space is the Pill Club, which scored $41.9 million in venture funding in 2021. Like SimpleHealth and Nurx, patients are able to fill out a health survey and have contraception sent to their home. 

ON THE RECORD

“We created the Emme Smart Birth Control System to provide a digital support system for patients and help reduce the rate of missed pills, which historically accounts for nearly one million unplanned pregnancies in the United States annually," said Amanda French, cofounder and CEO of Emme.

"SimpleHealth stands out unequivocally as the best company to partner with as we scale our offering thanks to their unparalleled commitment to healthcare accessibility, innovation, and our shared dedication to improving the standard of care in reproductive health."