“Pacify is a pretty magical resource. It only takes about 30 seconds for a mom to be face-to-face with a board-certified lactation consultant any time, night or day, right from her personal smartphone,” said Pacify Co-founder and CEO George Brandes. “We have seen incredible outcomes in our other state partnerships, from better health outcomes for moms and babies to reduced cost for public insurance programs, and we’re confident the effect in West Virginia will be the same.”
West Virginia is Pacify’s seventh public partner to offer unlimited access to Pacify’s tele-lactation services at no cost to women participating in WIC programs. Pacify’s other public partnerships include Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Nevada, the District of Columbia, and the city of Dallas.
A 2019 case study of a Mississippi WIC-Pacify partnership showed that moms are significantly more likely to exclusively breastfeed if they are using Pacify – 1.5 times more likely at 3 months and 2 times more likely at 6 months. The study also found that it would have cost Mississippi 50% more than the cost of its Pacify partnership to provide in-person access at a limited number of clinics.
“Our goal is to provide nutrition and breastfeeding services and information that empower individuals and keep West Virginia families healthy,” said Dr. Catherine Slemp, State Health Officer and Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health. “Currently, West Virginia WIC serves nearly 35,000 mothers and young children monthly. With the Pacify app, we can now offer around-the-clock live support to help WIC moms breastfeed.”
Pacify’s West Virginia partnership builds on Advantia Health’s recent growth. Advantia recently established a significant physical presence in Southern Illinois and the St. Louis area with the acquisition of Heartland Women’s Healthcare – a provider of OB/GYN services. Additionally, this month Advantia Health secured a $45 million investment from BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Assured Guaranty Ltd. In 2020 Advantia will expand its innovative technology offerings and open a flagship women’s healthcare practice in Washington, D.C.
About
Pacify was founded on the idea that more can be done to use mobile technology to help families access excellent prenatal and pediatric care. Pacify’s industry-leading mobile platform provides instantaneous, 24/7 support to new mothers. Mothers who download the app can connect via video-visit with clinicians including nurses and lactation consultants. There are no appointments or scheduling, and calls are answered in an average of less than 30 seconds. Pacify serves a diverse range of mothers via contracts with Medicaid Managed Care Companies, state Departments of Health, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, employers, and breast pump manufacturers. In 2019, Pacify was acquired by Advantia Health as part of its commitment to continued investment in technologies that improve the lives and health of women and their families.
Advantia is transforming healthcare for all women – we’re setting a higher standard of care and convenience while reducing unnecessary costs. Compassion and value inspire everything we do. We take time to listen, answer questions completely, and offer helpful technology between visits so that our patients are empowered and at ease. Alongside coordinated care, Advantia is pioneering care models that align incentives with the best interests of women and their families.
Learn more at AdvantiaHealth.com and Pacify.com
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