Ayble Health Partners with Priority Health to Expand Digestive Health Access

Ayble Health, a virtual GI clinic, has announced a significant partnership with Priority Health, a nonprofit health plan in Michigan, to provide commercial members with access to their innovative digestive health solution. This collaboration marks a notable step forward in addressing the growing concern of digestive health issues and the associated healthcare costs.

Expanding Access to Digestive Care

Starting June 1, Ayble's solution will be available as a standard benefit for Priority Health members with MyPriority HMO or employer health plans. This expansion will grant access to over 500,000 adult members, significantly increasing the reach of specialized digestive health care.

Alicia Coronas, Vice President of Employer Solutions Product and Marketing at Priority, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, "When it comes to sourcing solutions like Ayble Health, Priority Health looks for approaches that can improve care quality, engage patients effectively and provide cost-efficient services."

Addressing a Critical Healthcare Gap

The collaboration comes at a crucial time, as digestive health issues continue to impact a large portion of the population. Up to 25% of the commercially insured population has a digestive disease, and 40% of Americans report that uncomfortable bowel symptoms disrupt their routine activities.

Sam Jactel, founder and CEO of Ayble Health, highlighted the access problem in the U.S. for digestive health specialists, noting that nearly three-quarters of counties lack a digestive health specialist. This shortage often leads to under- or untreated patients becoming frequent users of emergency departments.

Innovative Approach to Digestive Health Management

Ayble's solution relies on a multidisciplinary care team, AI-powered nutrition and psychology programs, and wellness tools to manage symptoms. This comprehensive approach aims to address both the physical and mental health symptoms associated with GI conditions.

The rising rates of ambulatory care and ED visits for digestive diseases have become an increasing priority for payers and employers. Ayble's ability to treat patients regardless of their access to a regular GI doctor is particularly valuable in this context.

Jactel emphasized the broader impact of digestive health issues, stating, "Not only are we plugging in massive care gaps, but we are also meeting the needs of GI providers that are just frankly overwhelmed with patients." He also noted the significant effect on workplace productivity, with some patients missing more than a week of work per month due to their condition.