Nudj Health raised $10 million in funding to bolster physician partnership efforts to better track and change patient lifestyle behaviors, the Los Angeles Business Journal reported June 6.
The $10 million series A funding was led by Omaha-based Nebraska Medicine, Teal Ventures, the Cohn Family Trust, and Health Innovation Pitch.
"About 80 percent of all chronic conditions and diseases can be prevented, reduced or even reversed through lifestyle changes," Nudj Health founder and CEO Yuri Sudhakar told the Los Angeles Business Journal. "But up until now, physicians routinely gave patients instructions on taking medications and getting more exercise, but they have very little sense of what really goes on with patients once those patients leave their offices."
This lack of continued patient care post-visit lessens the likelihood that patients will make lasting lifestyle changes.
Nudj Health brings a "care extension team" that continues care after the patient leaves the physician's office. The team focuses on developing daily exercise routines, meal choices and proper medication administration with the patients.
The company uses reporting and tracking technology to assist with data accumulation and better cater patient guidance, with most patient interaction taking place over the phone.
CMS has approved support for the program for its patients.
"That means the providers get reimbursements from Medicare for mental health/behavioral health programs designed to improve patient outcomes, so they don't have to spend extra money to partner with us," Mr. Sudhakar said.
Mr. Sudhakar plans to use some of the funding to expand into the value-based medicine sector to help maximize payers' investments in the program.