Auxa Health: AI-Powered Benefits Navigation

Auxa Health, a healthtech company founded in January 2022, revolutionizes how healthcare organizations and individuals navigate the complex world of Medicare, Medicaid, and public benefits. By consolidating information on health plans, state and federal programs, and community resources into a single, AI-powered platform, Auxa Health simplifies access to essential benefits and services.

The company's unique approach streamlines healthcare processes for providers and addresses social determinants of health, improving overall well-being for individuals and their caregivers. “Auxa’s service as software coordinates the most important interventions for every patient with engaging personalization,” said Jeffrey De Flavio, Auxa executive chairman. The software significantly improves or accelerates the achievement of essential patient goals.

Simplifying Access To Healthcare Benefits

Auxa Health, a trailblazing AI-powered company, was established with a clear mission: to enable healthcare organizations to connect individual benefits. The company's genesis stemmed from the personal experiences of its founders, all of whom had grappled with the challenges of navigating the healthcare system for their loved ones.

“There's so much burden that gets put on caregivers to manage it because it's so difficult to coordinate with the providers, coordinate with the payers, and figure out exactly what is covered and what isn't covered,” explained Monica Chopra, CEO of Auxa. “When you think about the most vulnerable population— the elderly, those with multiple chronic conditions, and those with high social determinants of health needs—the big challenge that they have is that, typically, the resources that they need are spread across health plans, state and federal programs, and community organizations, and then each one of them comes with hundreds of different rules, requirements, policies, and procedures.”

This includes health benefits such as Medicare Advantage programs, as well as cash assistance, meals, transportation, and preventative services such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Auxa created a one-stop shop for all that benefit information and used AI to make that information as easy as possible to understand. This holistic approach sets the company apart, demonstrating its commitment to improving overall well-being, not just navigating healthcare benefits.

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Chopra brings a wealth of experience to the company. With a background in public health, healthcare strategy consulting, and leadership roles at prominent healthcare organizations like Athenahealth and Oscar Health, Chopra possesses a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare landscape. Her expertise in public health and her experience in the provider and payer spaces make her uniquely qualified to lead Auxa Health in its mission to bridge the gaps in the healthcare ecosystem.

Chopra's fellow cofounders, Dr. DeFlavio and Samantha Adelberg, SVP of Strategy and Operations, complement each other's skills. Dr. DeFlavio, a medical doctor and serial entrepreneur, provides strategic vision and a deep understanding of the needs of individual patients and populations. Adelberg, with her extensive experience connecting people with essential resources in both the public and private sectors, brings a unique perspective on the social determinants of health. Together, the three co-founders form a well-rounded team committed to improving the healthcare experience.

Auxa Health has evolved rapidly since its inception. Initially focused on building its technological foundation, the company quickly recognized the limitations of off-the-shelf solutions for extracting data from complex healthcare documents. To address this, Auxa Health developed its own PDF parser, ensuring its information's accuracy and reliability. The company's commitment to innovation extends to using AI and machine learning to categorize, summarize, and simplify the language of benefit information, making it more accessible to users.

Auxa recognizes that social determinant factors such as food insecurity and access to transportation can significantly impact health outcomes; the company's platform helps connect individuals with resources that address these needs.

The company has raised $6.2 million in venture capital from Zeal Capital Partners, AlleyCorp, K50 Ventures, Laconia Capital Group, and Chaac Ventures. "We invested in Auxa Health because it aligns with Zeal Capital Partners' health equity strategy to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, and we saw a strong alignment between the founders and the problem they are solving,” described Emily Zhen, principal at Zeal Capital Partners. “Led by a diverse management team with decades of experience in care delivery, caregiving, and company building, Auxa's AI-powered platform addresses a critical unmet need in benefits navigation, enabling more efficient and effective healthcare."

Streamlining Access To Healthcare Benefits Processes With Technology

Auxa transforms healthcare by replacing manual processes with technology. While this shift can be challenging, the company successfully demonstrates the return on investment to healthcare providers.

The company's solutions automate routine tasks, such as gathering benefit information and answering questions, allowing providers to focus on patient care. This automation saves time, improves efficiency, and enhances patient satisfaction.

Auxa emphasizes understanding the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and demonstrating how technology can address them. By highlighting the return on investment of its solutions, the company effectively promotes technology adoption.

The healthtech platform addresses burnout and knowledge retention within care teams. It ensures consistent access to information, regardless of staff experience, promoting efficiency and patient satisfaction.

By actively engaging with healthcare professionals and demonstrating the tangible benefits of technology adoption, Auxa Health replaces time-consuming manual processes with streamlined, automated solutions.

Building A Startup Team Driven By Purpose

Auxa recognizes the importance of hiring the right people, especially in the early stages of a company. The team emphasizes hiring mission-driven individuals passionate about solving problems in the healthcare industry. This commitment to the company's mission is crucial for overcoming challenges and driving progress.

The company values flexibility and adaptability in its employees. The ability to pivot and adjust to changing circumstances is essential in the dynamic environment of an early-stage company.

The company's leadership team, with extensive experience in large and small organizations, provides stability and guidance. This helps create a supportive and empowering environment for all employees.

The company’s approach to hiring has enabled it to build a team of talented and dedicated individuals committed to its mission. This has been instrumental in overcoming the challenges of building a successful company in the healthcare technology sector.

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