Folx Health, the virtual LGBTQ+ care provider, is pushing into the employer market by launching an enterprise solution.
The enterprise solution provides LGBTQ+ employees access to end-to-end virtual primary care, gender-affirming care and care advocacy. The offering will also be available to parents of LGBTQ+ youth with support groups, educational content and referral navigation for in-person care, the company told Fierce Healthcare.
HR and benefits teams, as well as employees broadly, will be able to receive training on diversity, equity and inclusion through Folx. Grindr, Planful, the Ali Forney Center and several tech companies are among those offering this benefit.
“Employers offering this benefit ensures employees get the care they need and deserve – especially at a time when our rights are being attacked across the country,” said Folx Health CEO Liana Douillet Guzmán, in a press release.
Given existing barriers to receiving affirming care, including safety concerns and transport challenges, providing services digitally and by phone to widen access has been “incredibly well-received,” Guzmán told Fierce Healthcare. For those in need of in-person care, Folx can refer members to providers in their area. “As Folx expands its service offerings, the ability to support in-person care will continue to expand and evolve,” Guzmán said.
“Folx is a supplementary solution that every employer should consider offering to its staff,” added Alexander Roque, president and executive director at the Ali Forney Center, in the announcement. “Folx's team is culturally and linguistically competent and helped us navigate state and federal governing laws on supplemental health offerings, and was ever-present in meeting with our staff team, hosting info sessions and responding to our TGNB coworkers.”
Folx Health launched out of stealth mode in December 2020 as the first major queer and trans venture-backed company to offer virtual care and prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy and sexual health. The startup banked $25 million in 2021 to drive national expansion and expand its offerings in sexual health and family creation.
As part of the announcement, Folx is also launching a community platform for existing members that will feature resources, peer groups, live events and learning programs. The peer groups will be led by Schuyler Bailar, the first openly trans NCAA D1 swimmer.
The provider has created a new executive role of chief commercial officer, being filled by Brad Nations, who will run corporate strategy related to revenue growth, business development and distribution channel partnerships. A digital healthcare veteran who has led teams at Castlight Health, ConsumerMedical and Extend Health, Nations is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equitable care, Folx said. In 2021, his family created and funded an endowed scholarship at Texas State University for LGBTQ+ students.