Maven Clinic, a virtual clinic for women and families, announced on Wednesday that its virtual clinic will be covered by more than 475 health plans nationwide.
Maven Clinic offers care for fertility and family building, maternity, parenting, pediatrics, menopause and midlife. Previously, there were three ways people accessed Maven: employer-sponsored benefits with companies like Microsoft and AT&T, consumer subscription programs for GLP-1 and hormone care support, and cash pay for its virtual clinic.
The in-network plans include Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield and many regional plans. Maven Clinic will now be accessible to about 80% of commercially insured lives. The company is starting by bringing its perimenopause, menopause and hormone care visits in-network. It plans to add additional specialties — like OB-GYNs, maternal fetal medicine specialists and nutritionists — in the following months.
“Healthcare doesn’t happen in neat categories. People move between everyday needs and major health moments throughout their lives, and their care should move with them,” said Kate Ryder, founder and CEO of Maven Clinic, in a statement. “Maven has earned the trust of thousands of employers and health plans by delivering high-quality, clinically rigorous care when it matters most. We’re building on that foundation to make it easier for people to access the care they need, whenever they need it, all through one trusted partner.”
Before booking with Maven Clinic, the company confirms whether a member can access its services through an employer-sponsored benefit or is eligible for care through their health plan. Those going through their health plan only have to pay their cost share amount, such as copay, coinsurance or deductible. Maven Clinic will also show patients their estimated cost before booking.
Currently, more than 40% of women in the U.S. delay or postpone care due to cost concerns, and often face long wait times. About 81% of women with menopause symptoms never gain access to hormone therapy, while about one in five delay or avoid treatment because of costs.
Working with health plans ultimately brings Maven Clinic’s services to more women across the U.S., the company stated in its announcement.
Maven Clinic’s chief medical officer, Dr. Neel Shah, previously told MedCity News that starting as a self-pay company allows for an expedited pathway to market. However, coverage is what creates “parity, equity and access,” which is why the company chose to eventually transition to working with payers and employers.
“I think a lot of digital health companies start as self-pay, and especially the ones that started 12 years ago. That’s how old we are now. But you have to prove that people want the service first, and that it adds value,” he said.
Photo: Nataliia Nesterenko, Getty Images
