Aware Health

Aware Health is a healthcare company offering on-demand musculoskeletal (MSK) management sold directly to employers rather than through insurance. Members experiencing MSK symptoms can see a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy the same day through tele-rehab, with almost all members accommodated by video call. The company positions its service as early, upstream intervention intended to treat pain before it intensifies and to keep employees working and out of the broader medical system.

The company uses proprietary algorithms and built-in diagnostic rules that guide clinicians in diagnosing orthopedic conditions virtually, with the stated aim of avoiding unnecessary downstream imaging and surgery. Aware Health contrasts its diagnostic-algorithm approach with competitors that rely on motion sensors, wearables or computer vision to assess exercise form. Alongside physical therapy, the company publishes patient education content covering low back pain, ergonomics, pelvic and bladder health, menopause, and virtual health coaching, and describes services including orthopedic clinical specialist care and lifestyle medicine coaching.

Following its October 2024 seed round, Aware Health said it would use proceeds to build out AI models, a new patient and provider engagement platform, and employer dashboards, and to expand to more mid- and large-sized U.S. employers.

Founding story

Aware Health was founded in 2020 by a team including CEO and co-founder Heidi Ojha, PT, DPT, with the stated aim of helping employers get members to the root causes of their symptoms and avoid surgeries the founders describe as unsupported by research.

Business model

Employers — particularly self-insured employers — partner with Aware Health and subscribe at a per-member rate, under a model the company describes as value-based and direct-to-employer, bypassing the traditional insurance-based paradigm.

Subscription revenue from employer clients paid at a per-member rate.

Traction

At the time of the October 2024 seed announcement the company said it had recently doubled eligible members to more than 15,000, and cited a 59% reduction in orthopedic healthcare claims from a peer-reviewed study, an average 6.19x ROI in lifetime healthcare cost savings for clients, and 95% of patients with wear-and-tear conditions intending surgery not proceeding to surgery. A study published in PM&R was cited as showing less than 8% of employees requiring imaging, under 2% needing surgery, and a litigation rate below 1%. Client references include Evraz and Staywell members.

Latest developments

After the October 2024 seed round, the company outlined plans to develop AI models, a patient and provider engagement platform and employer dashboards, and to broaden its employer client base; it has continued publishing clinical and patient education content through 2025 and 2026, including commentary on wearable- and computer-vision-based MSK competitors.