Horizon BCBSNJ partners with Nema Health, a virtual clinic for PTSD

Nema Health, an online healthcare provider specializing in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), partnered with a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan in New Jersey. This partnership means that Nema is now part of the network for commercial members covered by Horizon Healthcare Services Inc., also known as Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. In addition to this agreement, Nema has secured another contract with a major national payer, which remains undisclosed, extending its reach to approximately 3.6 million individuals across the state.

Under the care provided by Nema, all patients receive comprehensive clinical attention from trained therapists and psychiatrists as required, along with emotional support from peer mentors and daily guidance from case managers. Patients undergo intensive treatment sessions five times per week over two to four weeks, followed by a stabilization phase during which they retain access to their therapist and continue receiving peer support. According to company data, more than three-quarters of Nema patients are able to see improvement for PTSD following four weeks of intensive treatment.

Statistics reveal that about six out of every 100 individuals will encounter PTSD at some stage in their lives, often stemming from traumatic occurrences like warfare, natural disasters, gun violence, childhood abuse, or sexual assault. Dr. Sofia Noori, co-founder and CEO of Nema, has herself confronted trauma, which underscores the significance of the mission for her.

Dr. Noori emphasizes the pervasive issue of trauma among civilians and the inadequate accessibility to proven PTSD treatments. Many PTSD sufferers either fail to recognize their condition or opt for conventional weekly talk therapy, which may not be the most effective treatment, according to Dr. Noori. Contrary to prevailing beliefs that PTSD is a lifelong affliction, she asserts that it is a treatable condition. With appropriate therapies like cognitive processing therapy, patients can experience enduring improvements.

Nema was initiated by Dr. Noori at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to broaden access to evidence-based treatments that facilitate genuine recovery rather than mere symptom management. The primary objective is to expedite patients’ journey toward recovery so they can rebuild their lives post-PTSD.

Recognizing the time-intensive nature of trauma therapy training, Nema has devised a swift training regimen for its staff, ensuring minimal disruption to their therapy provision. Dr. Noori commends Horizon for its pioneering efforts in behavioral health solutions, noting the significant expansion of in-network behavioral health professionals available to its members since 2020.

Established in 2021, Nema currently accepts patients from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, with plans for further expansion. The startup has amassed $4.1 million in seed funding and aims for nationwide scalability within the next few years, accommodating most commercial plans. Dr. Noori stresses the importance of including government plans such as Medicaid and Medicare to enhance accessibility.

All contracts with Nema operate on a value-based model, with the company assuming some downside risk.