Acquisition of LGBTQ+ care platform will strengthen member-centric offering to support diverse and under-resourced populations
Grand Rounds Health and Doctor On Demand, a leader in integrated virtual care, announced today they have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Included Health, the leading comprehensive health platform for the LGBTQ+ community. Together, the companies will improve health outcomes and address health challenges of communities including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC.
“Our job is to make the healthcare system work for everyone, including those who’ve had to survive for far too long outside it,” said Owen Tripp, CEO of the combined Grand Rounds Health and Doctor On Demand. “LGBTQ+ people face serious discrimination in healthcare settings, and are 2-3 times more likely than others to avoid care. This needs to change. So we are extremely proud to go into business, and innovate, with Included Health. Rightly, employers and health plans are asking for a navigation and virtual care partner who offers integrated personalized care to all their members. We will provide it.”
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The LGBTQ+ community disproportionately experiences discrimination and health-related stigmas which result in deferred or delayed care. Denials of care, misgendering, and rude or uninformed comments about identity and sexual orientation are too common. In a national study conducted by Included Health with over 1,000 LGBTQ+ employees from Fortune 100 companies, nearly half of respondents reported a negative healthcare experience or discrimination in a healthcare setting. As a result, many are postponing or avoiding care at a rate that is 2-3x greater than the broader U.S. population—putting their physical and mental health at risk.
Negative experiences are also common in the workplace. A 2020 Boston Consulting Group study found that 40% of LGBTQ+ employees are in the closet at work and 75% reported experiencing negative day-to-day workplace interactions related to their LGBTQ+ identity in the past year. Employees who experience negative interactions are less productive and more likely to quit.
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“The past year has been a time of cultural awakening across the U.S., with employers, healthcare providers, and others stepping up to create more inclusive environments. But for many in the LGBTQ+ community, there is still much progress to be made,” said Colin Quinn, co-founder and CEO of Included Health. “We are proud to join forces with Grand Rounds Health and Doctor On Demand to deliver on our shared vision of improving healthcare equity for underserved communities. Our combined team of care providers and care navigators mirrors the diverse population of our members, and together we can make affirmative, culturally competent healthcare a reality.”
Thanks to their recent merger, Grand Rounds Health and Doctor On Demand have expanded their clinical breadth and depth with a combined multidisciplinary team across virtual care, navigation, and expert medical opinions. Their diverse clinical team boasts 43% people of color and 20% LGBTQ+. This industry-leading team serves nearly 100 million covered lives, with demonstrated success delivering positive health outcomes for diverse member populations across employers and health plans.
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