Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois selects startups for innovation accelerator program

MATTER companies Alimus, Compris and Medsense chosen to further develop post-pandemic solutions

Chicago, IL June 21 — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) has named the first cohort of early-stage innovators to participate in the BCBSIL Innovation Accelerator program. BCBSIL teamed up with MATTER, the Chicago-based global healthcare incubator and corporate innovation accelerator, to identify solutions to influence health care beyond the doctor’s office in the wake of COVID-19.

The pandemic has escalated a growing trend toward care delivery that takes place outside of the traditional office visit. Innovative solutions that help ensure people have access to the care they need, when and where they need it — particularly in alternative sites of care (home, community-based and virtual) — will be important tools for managing the value of care delivered in the post-COVID landscape.

“We see the startup community as an essential partner in advancing innovation,” said Steve Hamman, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. “Working with early-stage entrepreneurs to shape their solutions provides BCBSIL unique inputs into how these companies evolve. For our inaugural accelerator cohort the solutions of a doula network in Alimus, addiction screening in Compris and medication management through Medsense Health offer new value creation through unique approaches to care focused on improving member satisfaction and health outcomes.”

“We see the startup community as an essential partner in advancing innovation.” – Steve Hamman, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

The selected accelerator participants are:

Alimus

Alimus’ mission is to lower overall birth-related health care costs by providing birth doula services to expecting mothers, including prenatal, labor and immediate postnatal support. Alimus’ goal is to reduce adverse birth outcomes and facilitate a healthier and safer pregnancy and birth experience for families.

Compris

Compris introduces the first comprehensive addiction diagnostics and risk-stratification assessment, prevention and treatment guide consistent with a chronic illness paradigm. Patients complete an online, 15- to 30-minute self-report that securely delivers the Compris Profile© to providers within minutes. Compris’ fully automated, HIPAA-compliant, timely needs assessment helps mitigate the ongoing addiction epidemic.

Medsense Health

Medsense Health is a medication management and remote monitoring platform that helps people safely and effectively adhere to their medication regimen using attachable Bluetooth sensors and a mobile application.

As part of the accelerator program, each company will receive $25,000 to help refine their solution in alignment with previously identified performance metrics. Additionally, over three months, the teams will benefit from curriculum offerings provided by MATTER, BCBSIL executive mentorship and subject matter expertise from key leaders.

The accelerator program culminates in October with a public pitch day at MATTER where finalist teams will present condensed pitches including demos of their solutions and the value they derived from the incubator.

“BCBSIL has picked three great companies — each one a promising, early-stage MATTER portfolio company poised to make real change to benefit patients and families,” said Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER. “These innovative new care delivery solutions will help expecting mothers, people battling substance use disorders and seniors or others managing medication schedules.”

“BCBSIL has picked three great companies — each one a promising, early-stage MATTER portfolio company poised to make real change to benefit patients and families.” – Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health to as many people as possible in Illinois. BCBSIL is dedicated to innovation and exploring, nurturing and activating future possibilities to make the health care system work better for our members and our communities. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About MATTER

At MATTER, we believe collaboration is the best way to improve healthcare. The MATTER collaborative includes more than 200 cutting-edge startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together we are accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.