Interview conducted by Amanda Peterson from Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry (MD + DI)

Over time, people living with a chronic condition like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) tend to normalize their symptoms. That’s where a third-party solution like SonarMD comes in.

SonarMD CEO Beth Houck told MD+DI the company was founded as a means to help IBD patients “figure out when the check engine light is going on.”

“When we were founded, our sole focus was identifying deterioration before it happens, and we got really good at that,” Houck said. “Because of that, payers give us contracts because they recognize that we’re going to keep somebody out of high-cost settings sooner.”

Using predictive analytics and human support, the SonarMD digital platform identifies clinical deterioration and makes it easier for patients and specialists to proactively address problems before they become health emergencies. In addition to symptoms tracking, SonarMD patients have access to holistic health programs, including diet and nutrition counseling, emotional health services, and sleep improvement interventions that improve their overall quality of care for services that traditionally can be difficult to get reimbursed.

“You need some sort of third-party running interference and saying, ‘Just tell me what your symptoms are right now; we’re going to measure that longitudinally, and we’re going to tell your doctor when we think you might be potentially headed for more deterioration and need to get that cut off at a pass’,” Houck said.

SonarMD recently announced two strategic partnerships to complement gastroenterology care with whole-person holistic care.

The new partners are LyfeMD, a company offering clinically vetted nutrition and lifestyle programs to support a holistic approach to digestive health management, and Movement Genius, a mental and emotional health solutions provider, offering therapist-led content and somatic tools to reduce stress and support pain management.

These collaborations will deliver SonarMD-branded programs that address key components of health, including diet, exercise, sleep, and mental well-being, at no cost to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients enrolled in one of the large health plans that are in a value-based arrangement with SonarMD.

“At SonarMD, we understand that gut health is interconnected with many aspects of a person’s overall health. As experts in gut health, we are excited to partner with LyfeMD and Movement Genius as best-in-class vendors in the holistic health space to bring these offerings to SonarMD patients. The beauty of our value-based arrangements is that we are realigning healthcare incentives, which allows us to bring these much-needed services to patients suffering from a chronic condition,” Houck said.

People living with IBD who are diagnosed with either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis experience symptoms that go beyond chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. These chronic illnesses also have a significant impact on the mental and emotional well-being of patients and, despite therapeutic advancements, only one-third of diagnosed and treated patients move into remission. That’s why a holistic approach that includes symptom monitoring combined with proactive lifestyle adjustments is increasingly recognized as vital to improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization.

Patients enrolled in SonarMD take clinically validated text-based symptom assessments that are monitored, risk-adjusted, and triaged using standardized clinical protocols to alert providers to escalating deterioration in individual patients. This enhances their ability to determine and execute a care plan. Data evaluating several major drivers of medical costs in people living with IBD and enrolled in SonarMD found that the program significantly reduced emergency department visits and inpatient admissions compared to risk-matched control groups. By teaming up with LyfeMD and Movement Genius, SonarMD further empowers patients by providing a tailored, holistic experience for managing IBD.

“Our personalized programs for IBD patients have such a significant impact on their lifestyle and improving symptoms so I am excited that through this partnership we can positively impact even more people living with such a complex condition” said Lorian Taylor, CEO of LyfeMD. “Together, we will provide patients with an expansive toolkit for managing their condition and enhancing their quality of life.”

Movement Genius offers a diverse range of programs that address anxiety, depression, and stress, all of which are common for individuals living with IBD. Movement Genius is working to democratize access to mental health by making it accessible to people of all abilities and experiences. Recent partnerships with NYC Health, University of Pennsylvania, and organizations serving high-performing individuals demonstrate that Movement Genius’ supplemental programming increases patient engagement, decreases acute stress, and strengthens the mind-body connection, empowering patients to better manage symptoms of their chronic condition.

“There is so much research about the complex relationship between gut health and mental health. In addition to physical symptoms, IBD is often accompanied by a heavy mental load, and when mental health is undermanaged, it can increase the risk of relapse or poor treatment compliance,” said Alyson Stoner, founder and CEO of Movement Genius. “We are excited to collaborate with SonarMD to introduce IBD patients to supportive exercises and mental health practices designed for every body.”