Artificial intelligence-driven specialty care navigation platform Switchboard Health announced Tuesday the acquisition of virtual orthopedics and musculoskeletal (MSK) management provider Livara Health.
Switchboard Health will embed Livara’s MSK program in its automation platform for referral management and care navigation, through the acquisition, to enable providers and health plans to enroll patients.
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
“The Livara care model, technology, and team members start an exciting new chapter in our work to transform specialty care,” said Derek Baird, Switchboard Health CEO and co-founder, in a statement. “Now a primary care provider, right within her EHR, can refer qualified patients to our Livara MSK providers for convenient, evidence-based care.”
Livara Health provides a virtual-first, value-based MSK care model that combines care planning, virtual care delivery and navigation. A 2024 review of its program found participants reduced MSK spending by 43%, which executives say was driven largely by reduced surgical utilization.
“Our mission is to transform patients’ and providers’ experiences with MSK care, delivering convenient, effective, virtual support to patients,” said Rob Cohen, Livara Health CEO, in a statement. “We’re excited to see Switchboard integrate Livara Health into its referral and care navigation workflows to scale the delivery of high-value MSK care.”
Alongside the acquisition, Switchboard announced it has raised $5 million in an oversubscribed funding round.
Participants in the funding round include First Trust Capital Partners, LLC, Route 66 Ventures, A1 Health Ventures, Allumia Ventures and Martin Ventures, the company said.
“We’re grateful to our new and current investors for funding our expansion into care delivery and the next phase of growth,” said Baird. “The number of patients coming through the Switchboard is up 500% over the past nine months. We see even faster growth ahead of us.”
It’s the second acquisition from Switchboard in less than a year. In September, it acquired AI-driven personalized multispecialty care solution Conduce Health. Through that acquisition, the company integrated Conduce’s advanced AI capabilities, including predictive models for disease progression and urgent medical needs.