Could you tell us more about apree health and its foundational principles? What is the company’s relation to your book The New Health Economy?
apree health, under my leadership, is deeply rooted in the principles discussed in the book I co-authored, published by Georgetown in 2022. The book explores strategic approaches to U.S. healthcare, emphasizing the increasing role of individuals as decision-makers in their health care. This concept is integral to how apree health operates, particularly in our approach to using data for real-world evidence, driving innovations, and improving medication adherence. At apree, o ur philosophy refrains from referring to individuals as patients in our primary care settings, emphasizing a proactive approach to health management. We focus on the fluid nature of an individual’s health status, engagement levels, and the blending of payer-provider roles, alongside the significant influence of healthcare policies and politics shaped by Washington.
You mentioned significant changes in the healthcare landscape over the last decade, including the impact of Obamacare. Could you elaborate on those changes and their relevance to apree health?
The last decade witnessed transformative changes in the healthcare sector, primarily driven by the digitization of healthcare through the HITECH Act, the implementation of Obamacare, and significant demographic shifts as the boomer generation ages into Medicare. These changes have digitized health records, introduced new frameworks for healthcare delivery, and emphasized the importance of demographic considerations in healthcare planning.
For apree health, these developments underscore the necessity for innovative approaches in healthcare delivery and payment models, especially in the commercial insurance market. We leverage digital capabilities and advanced primary care models to address access issues and improve healthcare outcomes. Our mission is to reimagine healthcare delivery and payment models to foster value-based care, with a particular focus on engaging individuals through digital-first capabilities and addressing primary care access challenges.
In that context, how concretely does apree health aim to reimagine the healthcare sector?
apree health is dedicated to reimagining the delivery and payment of healthcare, with a specific focus on innovating within the commercial insurance market. Recognizing the need for innovation beyond Medicare and Medicare Advantage, we aim to engage individuals through digital-first capabilities and address the access problem to primary care. Our approach combines the digital prowess of Castlight Health with the advanced primary care model of Vera Whole Health, facilitating integrated care teams that include coaching, complex care management, and integrated behavioral health. This model enables us to engage more members with their health, take value-based care risks, and impact the total cost of care effectively. Our work with JP Morgan and Elevance Health illustrates our commitment to providing advanced primary care and underscores the importance of partnerships in revolutionizing healthcare for diverse populations.
Can you provide an example of how apree health’s services impact an individual's healthcare experience?
Consider the scenario of a person, who, through their employer JP Morgan Chase, has access to apree health's advanced primary care services. Without a prior primary care relationship, that person is either introduced to or walks into one of our care centers. They then establish a relationship with one of our providers, who, together with an integrated care team, develops a personalized care plan for them. This approach ensures that the person receives comprehensive, coordinated care that addresses their specific health needs, whether it be diagnostic screenings, behavioral health support, or wellness strategies for their family.
Our model's strength lies in its ability to deliver high satisfaction rates, evidenced by our N PS rates in the high 80s, and significantly positive health outcomes. We also focus on medication management as a key component of managing high-cost conditions, offering in-center dispensing and education to enhance adherence to prescribed treatments.
Could you explain how apree health ensures continuity and coordination in patient care?
apree health stands out by streamlining and enhancing the healthcare experience for individuals, ensuring they do not face the administrative and logistical challenges typically encountered after a primary care visit.
Our approach addresses key factors that drive healthcare costs and affect quality, by providing accessible points of care and an integrated care team. This team assists individuals in making informed decisions about their healthcare, including medication adherence and avoiding high-cost venues like emergency departments when possible. Our services extend to coordinating with specialists, taking on the administrative burden of scheduling and ensuring referrals to high-value providers. This holistic care model significantly reduces the complexity and inconvenience for individuals, ensuring they receive comprehensive, continuous care tailored to their needs.
How does apree health contribute to solving the affordability crisis in healthcare?
Our mission to reimagine healthcare delivery and payment is directly aimed at tackling the affordability crisis in the U.S. healthcare system. A stark reality underpins our vision for 2030: a significant portion of Americans grapple with medical debt, with many doubting their ability to ever settle these debts. By focusing on value rather than fee-for-service, we provide care that not only meets the quality and experience standards that providers and individuals desire but also manages to keep out-of-pocket expenses at bay for patients. This approach is particularly appreciated by self-insured purchasers like JP Morgan, who see the dual benefit of offering better healthcare experiences while also controlling cost trends.
What are apree health's plans for expansion?
Our immediate focus is on proving our model's effectiveness in our current key markets—Columbus, the state of North Carolina, and Atlanta—by delivering exceptional quality of care and demonstrating a tangible impact on total healthcare costs. Success in these areas will pave the way for our expansion into other markets. The momentum around the value of navigation and clinical advocacy allows us to consider broader geographical expansion. We currently offer these services on a standalone basis, which could facilitate entry into new markets by establishing anchor relationships, similar to hypothetical partnerships like with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Our strategy involves leveraging these relationships to replicate our model in key markets, driven by the trust and results seen by current clients.
Looking ahead, what is the vision for apree health in the next five years?
In the next five years, apree health aims to be a leader in addressing the affordability crisis in U.S. healthcare through primary care, which we believe is the most significant lever for change. There is a growing demand at the individual level for the integrated suite of services we offer. Our goal is to expand our presence to dozens of markets, proving our value proposition of engagement plus advanced primary care within an economically sensible model. This vision focuses on execution and scale, aiming to demonstrate the efficacy of our approach across a broader spectrum of the health economy.
