Iris Telehealth, a leading provider of behavioral health services, announced its acquisition of innovaTel, a division of Quartet Health specializing in telepsychiatry services. This strategic consolidation aims to enhance access to quality mental health care and address the nation’s ongoing behavioral health crisis.
The acquisition, announced Tuesday, positions Iris Telehealth as one of the largest telepsychiatry providers in the United States. The company plans to leverage innovaTel’s expertise in treating complex mental health conditions while expanding its capacity to serve healthcare systems and community organizations.
According to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), nearly 160 million Americans reside in areas with a shortage of mental health providers. The integration of Iris Telehealth and innovaTel aims to alleviate this gap by increasing the availability of qualified mental health professionals and scaling sustainable telepsychiatry programs across the country.
READ: Ketamine Treatment Shows Growing Promise For Treating Anxiety, Depression
“As the behavioral health industry continues to evolve, consolidation is critical for achieving scale, sustainability, and improved care outcomes,” said Andy Flanagan, CEO of Iris Telehealth. “This acquisition will enable us to provide innovative and scalable virtual solutions to healthcare organizations, addressing systemic challenges such as clinician shortages and disparities in access.”
Telehealth, the use of digital communication technologies to deliver healthcare remotely, has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing demand for accessible healthcare.
A report by McKinsey & Company shows that telehealth utilization has stabilized at 38 times pre-pandemic levels, with behavioral health services leading the charge. Mental health and psychiatry have become the most common telehealth services, accounting for approximately 40% of all telehealth visits.
The telepsychiatry sector, in particular, has emerged as a crucial solution for rural and underserved communities where in-person mental health services are often unavailable. Telepsychiatry services enable patients to receive timely treatment for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders without the logistical challenges of traveling to in-person clinics.
For more than a decade, innovaTel has provided telepsychiatry services to healthcare organizations nationwide. The merger with Iris Telehealth enhances the combined organization’s ability to deliver sustainable, long-term behavioral health care.
READ: Benefits Of Telehealth For ABA Therapy Sessions
“InnovaTel has always been committed to providing high-quality care,” said Christina Mainelli, CEO of Quartet Health. “With this merger, our partners and patients will gain access to an expanded network of clinicians and the innovative solutions that Iris Telehealth offers.”
The acquisition will integrate Iris Telehealth’s Virtual Clinic and Iris Insights solutions with innovaTel’s established partnerships, delivering a full spectrum of high-quality behavioral health services tailored to meet the needs of diverse patient populations.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.