CareBridge, a Nashville-based technology and telehealth startup, is revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered to Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligible patients through innovative dual-eligible home health technology. This population faces complex health challenges, and CareBridge’s approach focuses on improving outcomes while managing the high costs associated with home- and community-based services (HCBS).
The company’s boldness in embracing financial risk alongside technological innovation has attracted $180 million in funding across two rounds. The latest round secured $140 million led by Oak HC/FT, with investments from major managed care organizations (MCOs) such as Anthem Inc., Optum Ventures, CVS Ventures, and HLM Venture Partners representing Centene Corp. This backing reflects growing confidence in CareBridge’s dual-eligible home health technology solutions.
Enhancing Care Delivery With Dual-Eligible Home Health Technology
Michael Tudeen, CEO of CareBridge, emphasized that their success in fundraising is rooted in delivering a service that strengthens the work of MCOs and home care providers who serve dual-eligible members. These members often have high historic spending, and CareBridge uses dual-eligible home health technology to better manage and reduce these costs.
“What differentiates us is our willingness to take risk on the home- and community-based Medicaid population,” Tudeen said. “Our proven solutions using dual-eligible home health technology give us strong traction with MCOs.”
Technology-Enabled Care Without Onsite Workers
Rather than deploying workers to homes, CareBridge partners with home care agencies that use its electronic visit verification (EVV) and session-data tools—core components of their dual-eligible home health technology platform. These tools ensure compliance with the 21st Century Cures Act, which mandates EVV for Medicaid-funded home health services starting January 2023.
In addition, CareBridge places tablets in members’ homes to provide 24/7 telehealth access, allowing patients and caregivers to connect with clinicians anytime. This use of dual-eligible health technology maximizes care accessibility and supports timely intervention.
Data-Driven Early Intervention
CareBridge leverages the data collected through its dual-eligible home health technology to identify early warning signs and enable proactive care. This approach helps avoid costly emergency room visits and hospital stays by facilitating early clinician and caregiver intervention.
By integrating this technology, CareBridge empowers members and their families to collaborate closely with primary care providers, enhancing the overall care coordination.
Addressing a High-Cost, High-Need Population
Though focused on a relatively small population, CareBridge’s dual-eligible home health technology targets a group responsible for a disproportionate share of healthcare spending. Dual-eligible individuals represented 19% of Medicare enrollees but 34% of Medicare spending in 2019. On the Medicaid side, they comprised 14% of enrollees but accounted for 30% of spending.
The Medicaid spending on long-term supports and services, including HCBS, is particularly high, making the use of innovative dual-eligible home health technology essential to controlling costs while improving care quality.
Proactive Cost Management Through Technology
CareBridge’s goal is not just to reduce historic costs but to proactively manage care using dual-eligible health technology to keep members healthier and avoid costly acute care events.
“We use historic cost benchmarks as the basis for risk, ensuring costs do not rise and are reduced where possible,” Tudeen explained.
Their technology enables more interventions within the home, helping members avoid emergency care, hospitalizations, and nursing home stays—critical outcomes for both patients and payers.
Growth Fueled by Strategic Partnerships
CareBridge plans to expand its reach through organic growth, working closely with its MCO investors who cover approximately 60% of the HCBS member population. The company also sees potential in reaching other MCOs with large dual-eligible memberships using its dual-eligible health technology platform.
While not currently pursuing acquisitions, CareBridge remains open to opportunities that align with its growth strategy.
Conclusion
CareBridge’s integration of technology and telehealth with financial risk-sharing positions it as a pioneer in caring for dual-eligible patients. Its dual-eligible health technology platform is enabling better care coordination, earlier intervention, and cost management for one of the most challenging healthcare populations.
As the healthcare system increasingly embraces value-based care, solutions like CareBridge’s will be vital in improving quality and sustainability in home- and community-based services.
If you’re interested in the future of healthcare innovation for dual-eligible populations, CareBridge’s progress with dual-eligible health technology offers an inspiring example of what is possible when technology, risk, and patient-centered care come together.