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The New York-based company was launched two years ago in partnership with the Child Mind Institute to help pediatricians refer patients for evidence-based therapy, psychiatry and other mental health services. Fort Health’s clinical team creates personalized care plans that let pediatricians track patients’ clinical progress.
“Pediatricians are the most trusted relationship in family healthcare, yet they’re overwhelmed by patients with mental health issues,” said Fort Health’s Natalie Schneider. “We have built our model to ensure that the pediatrician is central to the care team.”
Women-led Fort Health expands patients’ care teams with school nurses, teachers and parents, with services covered by most health insurance plans for patients aged four to 24 years old.
Lowering costs
About one in five children in the US experience a mental disorder each year; nearly two-thirds get little or no care, according to the research nonprofit Mental Health America. The high costs of mental healthcare, combined with a shortage of experienced professionals, represents a challenging barrier for many families.
“Many solutions exist for families who can pay out of pocket, but we wanted to help democratize access for those families who cannot afford cash-pay,” said Taylor Greene of New York-based Twelve Below, which co-led the financing round. “Fort Health is making this possible.”
Investing in health
Twelve Below and Vanterra led the round, with participation from Redesign Health, Blue Venture Fund and True Wealth Ventures. Fort Health currently works with mental health care providers in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The new injection of capital will support the company’s expansion in Texas and Illinois, where it will partner with behavioral health services provider NovaWell. The financing round brings Fort Health’s total raised to $16 million
