When Elektra first opened its doors in 2019, our mission was simple: to smash the menopause taboo. We wanted to create a movement to reimagine menopause as the beginning of a new and powerful chapter. Practically speaking, we wanted to facilitate a conversation around the need for greater menopause awareness and resources — which at the time were scant — and to provide those very resources.
With a seasoned team of menopause-trained clinicians and Guides (aka menopause doulas), we built a tech-enabled model where midlife women and people with vaginal anatomy can access whole-person care and support, comprised of telemedicine care, one-on-one emotional support, and educational content backed by research.
Since then, the landscape has shifted. Menopause has become a zeitgeist in American culture — the focus of a presidential Executive Order, the subject of a Super Bowl commercial two years running, and and has topped New York Times’ most popular articles list. While we love to see menopause going “mainstream,” conversation alone does not always equate to progress when it comes to healthcare access, equity, and outcomes.
At Elektra, we’re laser-focused on turning talk into meaningful action. We talked about how we were going to expand access to affordable medical care and psychosocial support and then we did it. Our clinical team has quadrupled in size, and we are now in-network with over 20 health plans, including three national insurers and state-sponsored health plans.
From this vantage point midway into January, we are taking a moment to reflect on the past years’ growth and chart our path for the year to come.
Looking back…
In the past 12 months, Elektra and the menopause space alike have seen tremendous change. Dr. Jill Biden and her husband launched the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research and paved the way for an Executive Order to improve women’s health across the life span.
In-house, we have strengthened partnerships with every type of insurance plan, from commercial to Medicaid, and turbocharged our bespoke care model, with access to high-quality care and ongoing support at the forefront.
Our proprietary approach tackles the symptoms and support women require in midlife, including menopause treatment and broader preventive health. We know that 54% of women in this age group live with chronic conditions ranging from heart disease and diabetes to osteoporosis, the risks of which accelerate during menopause. Of course, menopause is not optional, and we focus on providing care to women regardless of insurance type or employment status in order to improve quality of life and avoid unnecessary doctor visits, medical costs, and suffering.
We focus on providing care to women regardless of insurance type or employment status in order to improve quality of life and avoid unnecessary doctor visits, medical costs, and suffering.
At Elektra, every patient has access to a care team composed of a board-certified clinician and a Menopause Guide. Guides act as care educators and extenders, discussing symptoms and treatment plans post-clinician visit. In addition to providing validation, symptom-specific education, and lifestyle support, our Guides help women advocate for their needs with existing clinicians, or find new ones. Outside of their multidisciplinary care team, each patient has access to a private digital platform. There, they access trustworthy MD-vetted education and a moderated community of thousands of women navigating similar lived experiences.
Last year, we went from having 0 in-network contracts to over 20. We’re New York born and raised, and are wildly proud to be available in-network to 4 in 5 of New York women. We also became the first virtual menopause care provider to accept Medicare and Medicaid so beneficiaries under those plans can access the same high quality care from menopause-trained clinicians. This momentous insurance expansion was made possible with the trust and partnership of pioneering organizations such as Mount Sinai Health Partners, EmblemHealth, MVP, and Molina Healthcare, to name only a few.
Last year, we went from having 0 in-network contracts to over 20. We’re New York born and raised, and are wildly proud to be available in-network to 4 in 5 of New York women.
Evidence-backed care model
Highly-trained clinicians who specialize in menopause
Despite immense progress in the menopause field, there remains a distressing shortage of adequately-trained clinicians. In fact, a 2019 survey of medical trainees in residency found that only 6.8% felt adequately prepared to manage women experiencing menopause.
Elektra aims to fill this gap by connecting women with clinicians who are specially trained in menopause. Our care team is composed of clinicians experienced in primary care, gynecology, and other facets of women’s health, who are further trained in menopause medicine and certified by the Menopause Society — the foremost menopause research organization globally. Menopause Society-Certified Practitioners (MSCP) specialize in menopause care and are up to date on the latest science and treatments.
Individualized, responsible prescribing
Since the beginning, Elektra has remained committed to providing world-class care and health services that drive proven health outcomes without the bias of selling products. Simply put, we don’t make money from the sale of supplements, products, or medications, ever (and never have in the many years we’ve been taking care of patients!).
Simply put, we don’t make money from the sale of supplements, products, or medications, ever (and never have in the many years we’ve been taking care of patients!).
We strategize with patients on both short-term symptomatic relief and chronic disease prevention to improve healthspan and longevity, with a prescribing philosophy that follows an evidence-based approach closely adhering to guidelines set forth by The Menopause Society. This includes the use of FDA-approved hormonal and non-hormonal medications.
Whether prescription or non-prescription treatment is indicated, our clinicians take the time to educate patients on the risks and benefits so our patients are equipped to make informed decisions about their own health. Elektra clinicians are also well-positioned to work collaboratively with patients’ existing care providers and we happily do!
Looking ahead…
Women living in poverty or affected by systemic racism face distinct challenges during the decades of their lives spent in perimenopause and postmenopause, yet access to high quality healthcare is abysmally low. Digital healthcare providers such as ourselves have the unique opportunity to help vulnerable populations gain better access to necessary, life-changing care.
As we head into another year of rapid growth, we are keenly focused on continuing to expand access to affordable, in-network care through our collaborations with health plans and health systems as well as state and local government. We are more committed than ever to addressing historical gaps in care and to redefining the standard of care for all women in midlife and beyond.
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Thank you, as ever, for the support, encouragement, and feedback (yes, the good, the bad, and the ugly!). We’re indebted to our community and wouldn’t be here without you.
Yours in good health,
Jannine Versi
Co-Founder and CEO of Elektra
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Interested in being part of the movement to close the menopause care gap for women everywhere? We’d love to chat.
If you’re a provider → reach out at [email protected]
If you’re a health plan/system → reach out at [email protected]
If you’re interested in telemedicine care → learn more here or reach out at [email protected]
For marketing/PR queries → reach out at [email protected]
For all other inquiries → reach out at [email protected]
READ MORE: Elektra’s 2024 Year In Review: 10 Highlights, Milestones & Notable Moments
