Strive Health, Oak Street Health partner to expand kidney care offerings

Strive Health, a company focused on value-based kidney care, has revealed a multiyear collaboration with Oak Street Health, a network of primary care clinics specialising in Medicare recipients. The partnership aims to extend care to patients afflicted by stage 4 chronic kidney disease through end-stage kidney disease.

Headquartered in Denver, Strive Health operates a comprehensive care platform centred around chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease patient data, consolidating information from various sources into a unified system. This platform analyses disease advancement and generates predictive insights about a patient's health status. The company also facilitates patient support for kidney transplants and dialysis procedures.

The suite of services provided by Strive Health will be accessible through Oak Street Health's centres located in 21 different states. According to Will Stokes, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Strive Health, this partnership is a harmonious union due to Oak Street Health's exceptional clinical care model for elderly patients and Strive Health's focus on compassionate kidney care. Stokes states that this collaboration is geared toward revolutionising care delivery for individuals navigating the complexities of kidney health.

In a broader context, CVS Health declared its intent to acquire Oak Street Health in February, a move that drew attention from Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) who voiced concerns about the impact on care quality and costs. Despite these concerns, the acquisition was completed in May, with CVS Health finalising the purchase of the Medicare-centric primary care provider for approximately $10.6 billion in an all-cash transaction.

During its recent second quarter earnings call, CVS Health's President, CEO, and Director, Karen S. Lynch, revealed plans to expand Oak Street clinics by the end of 2023, potentially reaching a presence in 25 states. Lynch further announced intentions to co-locate new Oak Street clinics alongside CVS Pharmacies, with additional locations pinpointed for 2024. The goal is to establish 50-60 clinics during the following year.

Highlighting its commitment to growth and innovation, Strive Health secured an impressive $166 million in Series C funding during June. The funds are earmarked for bolstering partnerships with Medicare, commercial, and Medicare Advantage payors, as well as collaborating with health systems and physicians. This funding round follows a $140 million Series B funding acquired just two years prior.

Additionally, Strive Health's endeavours in enhancing kidney care include a partnership with not-for-profit Catholic healthcare system Trinity Health, as well as a collaborative effort with Southern California Kidney Consultants, a nephrology group, to provide comprehensive kidney care services to residents of California.

Click here to read the original news story.