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Virtual behavioral healthcare provider Talkspace announced it has acquired Wisdo Health, a social health and peer-support platform focused on combating loneliness.
Talkspace said the acquisition of Wisdo puts it in a strong position to deal with loneliness and isolation by providing 24/7 access to trained peers, moderated communities and group coaching.
Wisdo Health describes itself as a peer-reviewed support platform that utilizes AI technology to facilitate customized connections with peers, based on shared lived experience, augmented by group coaching and monthly check-ins.
Wisdo captures member data and provides clients with access to comprehensive reports on utilization, clinical outcomes, opportunities to close care gaps, satisfaction, medical cost reduction and ICD-10 Z codes.
"Wisdo’s clinically proven AI-powered peer support and communities platform perfectly complements our services, enabling us to offer personalized, stepped care solutions that address social and mental health and improve outcomes for all users," Dr. Jon Cohen, CEO of Talkspace, said in a statement.
"Together, we will expand access and deepen engagement, especially for those impacted by social drivers of health."
Wisdo Health's CEO Ron Goldman noted that teaming up with Talkspace allows the company to bring the power of social health and peer support to millions of additional people.
"Together, we will create a seamless continuum of care that ensures people receive the right support at the right time, while continuing to expand our AI roadmap," Goldman said in a statement.
THE LARGER TREND
Talkspace initially entered into a strategic partnership with Wisdo Health last year to increase access to mental health resources for people older than 65 while lowering healthcare costs, boosting member engagement and addressing the escalating mental health crisis.
Earlier this year, Talkspace announced that it was available as an in-network provider to patients through Blue Cross of Idaho, allowing individuals to access its virtual behavioral health services.
Blue Cross of Idaho's patients, including couples and teenagers 13 and older, have access to Talkspace's offerings. Members 18 and older can access therapy and psychiatric medication support.
In May, Talkspace collaborated with Amazon Pharmacy to streamline the pharmacy encounter for Talkspace members, allowing for medication management and offering support for providers.
The alliance enables Talkspace members to fill prescriptions from their Talkspace provider via Amazon Pharmacy.
Both new and returning Talkspace customers can select Amazon Pharmacy as a free home delivery option. If the patient prefers, a Talkspace psychiatric provider can forward prescriptions directly to Amazon Pharmacy.
Customers who shop on Amazon can determine coverage for Talkspace therapy and psychiatry services via Amazon's Health Benefits Connector website.
That same month, Talkspace partnered with online digital safety platform Bark Technologies to offer its mental health services free of charge to Bark phone and Bark app users.
Bark's content monitoring platform aims to help families recognize potential dangers in children's online activities. It provides mental health support by connecting children with therapists via live sessions or messaging.
It also provides resources and tools to children 13 and older to help them navigate emotional challenges. End users can register with their email address and utilize Talkspace Go, a library of teen-appropriate self-guided exercises, content and videos created by licensed therapists.
