The Helper Bees

The Helper Bees operates a technology platform for aging-in-place benefits that connects products, service providers, and plan administrators in one system. Members and their families use it to obtain in-home support, while payers use it to configure, administer, and monitor those benefits, with the stated aims of improving fulfillment, simplifying administration, and increasing data visibility.

The platform's components include a Care Concierge staffed by care managers who guide members through benefits navigation; an Aging-in-Place Marketplace offering self-serve access to over-the-counter products and vetted nonmedical services such as home care, home safety, meals, and transportation; the Helpful card, a flexible benefits card covering support services, OTC items, utilities, and rent or mortgage payments and built primarily for Medicare Advantage; digital invoicing for claims submission and reimbursement; nurse-performed, configurable long-term care insurance eligibility assessments; and a nationwide network of in-home care provider agencies. A branded meal offering, Hive to Table, delivers prepared meals to members.

Business model

The company positions itself as an intermediary between payers and in-home care supply: it administers and fulfills home-based benefits programs for insurers and health plans, contracting with a network of vetted provider agencies that deliver services to members, and supplies supporting software for assessments, invoicing, and program administration.

Traction

Reported figures include more than 7 million eligible members, more than 3 million hours of support delivered, and more than 25,000 vetted providers. Outcome claims include a 43% decrease in facility admissions, a 98.7% retention rate among members using in-home supportive services, 16% savings on per-hour IHSS costs, and a 12.7% reduction in per-meal prices.