Eleanor Health, an addiction and mental health services startup designed for value-based care models, launched its first outpatient clinic in Mooresville, N.C. The startup plans to open 10 to 15 sites in the next year, first in North Carolina and then across the country.
The company’s name was chosen for the Greek meaning of Eleanor, “shining light” and as an ode to Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the earliest champions for universal human rights including medical care.
In addition to opening its first clinic, the company also announced a major financing completed in July 2019, led by Mosaic Health Solutions, a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC). Additional investors include Town Hall Ventures, a venture firm co-founded by Andy Slavitt, former Acting Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Town Hall Ventures and Oxeon Ventures participated in the formation of Eleanor Health, selecting markets, working with policymakers, and recruiting the management team.
Addiction is now the leading cause of death in America for those under 50. Nationwide, more than 21 million people have a substance use disorder, yet less than 18 percent of those impacted by opioid use disorders get treatment due to lack of access, stigma, and other factors. To address the challenge, Eleanor Health will offer comprehensive treatment, including medication assisted treatment (MAT) for Opioid and other Substance Use Disorders. Its approach is designed to meet patients where they are in their recovery journey, through outpatient clinics, community settings, and at home through technology and field-based teams. The company said it is designed to be financially accountable for long-term, whole-person outcomes.
Blue Cross NC is collaborating with Eleanor Health to expand access to its treatment services. "There simply aren't enough high-quality facilities and clinical teams to effectively treat everyone at all stages of their recovery, so we partnered with Town Hall to build and launch Eleanor Health,” said Patrick Conway, M.D., president and CEO of Blue Cross NC. “Starting here in North Carolina, Eleanor Health is providing fully coordinated, high-quality care to individuals and families impacted by substance use and will save lives."
The company’s CEO and co-founder is Corbin Petro, formerly founding CEO and president of Benevera Health. "We are committed to treating these conditions as a chronic medical illnesses requiring long-term management, and to being reimbursed based on positive health outcomes," he said in a prepared statement. "We are leveraging data and new technology to enhance in-person clinical service delivery and building a world-class team committed to our mission and vision."
The company’s chief medical officer and co-founder is Nzinga Harrison, M.D., and vice president of growth operations and co-founder is Srishti Mirchandani. Eleanor Health has also been working with national clinical and community experts to design treatment and has recruited a board that includes Andy Slavitt, Trevor Price, David Whelan, Dr. Kate Knutson, and Sonny Goyal.
