WellTheory

Autoimmune disease is reshaping the workforce—yet most employers don’t even see it. And it’s not their fault: these are invisible illnesses that often fly under the radar, until the costs start adding up. For millions of employees, autoimmune disease is a daily battle. They’re managing chronic symptoms, specialist visits, and unpredictable flare-ups—all while trying to stay engaged at work. But because these conditions are invisible, they’re often overlooked—until performance declines, sick days pile up, and talented employees quietly leave. The reality? Autoimmune disease is a massive, hidden driver of lost productivity: ? Autoimmune symptoms make it harder to work—but employees push through in silence. Chronic fatigue, brain fog, and pain don’t just affect health; they affect focus, productivity, and performance. Many employees struggle behind the scenes, trying to keep up while their health holds them back. ? Retention suffers when employees don’t get the care they need. Many autoimmune patients are forced to reduce hours, take extended leave, or leave the workforce entirely. For conditions like rheumatoid arthritis—which is three times more common in women—half of patients leave the workforce permanently within ten years of diagnosis, and up to 90% stop working before 65. ??Most benefits strategies aren’t designed with autoimmune disease in mind. These conditions don’t fit neatly into one category, making them easy for employers to overlook. Without proactive support—like accommodations, tailored benefits, and care that actually meets their needs—employees are left to figure it out alone. And because autoimmune disease disproportionately affects women, who already face barriers in the workplace, the impact extends beyond individual careers—it affects retention, career growth, and leadership pipelines across entire industries. Employers can’t afford to ignore this any longer. Tomorrow, I’ll be breaking down why autoimmune disease is one of the biggest blind spots in employer healthcare spend—and what leaders can do about it. #AutoimmuneAwarenessMonth

Autoimmune disease is expensive. Full stop. Even with insurance, patients are drowning in out-of-pocket costs, overpriced medications, and treatments that aren’t covered at all. It’s not just the emotional toll—it’s the actual, hard costs of living with an autoimmune disease: —The years-long diagnostic odyssey—specialist visits, endless testing, and second (or third) opinions that insurance barely covers. —?The thousands of dollars in deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket expenses—just to access basic care. —?The medications priced at $50,000+ per year, forcing patients to navigate step therapy, prior authorizations, or impossible out-of-pocket costs. —?The root-cause care that isn’t covered at all—leaving patients to pay thousands out-of-pocket for the care that actually helps them feel better. I’ve spent hours on the phone fighting for coverage—just for a test that could explain my symptoms. I’ve paid out-of-pocket for care that insurance wouldn’t cover, not because it wasn’t effective, but because it wasn’t deemed "medically necessary." And even when insurance did cover my treatment? I still had to pay thousands before hitting my deductible—just for the privilege of accessing care. Too many patients are forced to choose between their health and their finances—delaying treatment, rationing medication, or going without care entirely because they can’t afford it. This burden falls hardest on women and people with disabilities, who, according to the CDC, are disproportionately likely to skip or delay medication due to financial concerns. Autoimmune disease doesn’t wait for you to have the right insurance, the right savings, or the right resources. It keeps progressing—whether or not you can afford to treat it. Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing why these rising costs aren’t just affecting patients—but the other entities footing the bill: employers and payers. #AutoimmuneAwarenessMonth

Autoimmune disease isn’t just a personal health crisis—it’s a business one, too. 1 in 6 Americans has an autoimmune condition, yet the true cost of these diseases is often hidden in plain sight—buried in specialty drug spend, absenteeism, disability claims, and lost productivity. Employers are feeling the impact, but most don’t even realize it. I’m so excited to be speaking with Nina M. Auffart , MBA, SHRM-SCP next week, who is not only a leader in the space but also a wonderful partner and friend. She has been an incredible advocate for supporting employees with autoimmune conditions, and I can’t wait to share this conversation with her. Next week, I'll be diving deeper into the financial toll of autoimmune disease and what employers need to know—along with an exciting initiative we've been heads-down on over the last few months in collaboration with the Integrated Benefits Institute. If you’re an employer, benefits leader, or just someone passionate about changing the way we approach autoimmune care in the workplace, I’d love to see you there! #AutoimmuneAwarenessMonth

When I was first diagnosed with autoimmune disease, I thought I finally had answers. I thought getting a name for my symptoms meant I’d get a plan—a roadmap for how to manage this condition and feel better. But what I didn’t realize was that a diagnosis is just the beginning. There are so many things I wish I had known earlier—things that would have saved me time, frustration, and so many moments of self-doubt. Here are a few things I wish I knew sooner in my autoimmune journey: ?? No one provider will have all the answers. I kept expecting someone—a specialist, a primary care doctor, anyone—to connect the dots for me. But the reality is that conventional medicine treats symptoms in silos. If I wanted whole-person care, I had to find it—or create it—for myself. ?? Every time you take a bite of food, you are programming your biology for health or disease. Food isn’t just fuel—it’s information. What you eat directly influences inflammation, gut health, and immune function. I wish I had understood earlier just how much nutrition could either calm or trigger my symptoms. ?? Healing isn’t linear. Some days, you’ll feel like you’re making progress. Other days, like you’re back at square one. But healing isn’t about avoiding setbacks—it’s about how quickly you recover. The real north star isn’t perfection, but resilience—fewer flares, faster bounce-backs, and more good days than bad. ?? There’s no one-size-fits-all path to healing. Healing looks different for everyone, and what works for one person may not work for another. Seek guidance externally, but look internally to decide what’s right for you. No two journeys are the same. ?? You are the world’s best expert on your own body. Outside perspectives can provide guidance, but only you know what it’s like to live in your body every day. Pay attention to what it’s telling you. Listen to it, trust it, and advocate for it. ?? Life is meant to be enjoyed. Sometimes, prioritizing your mental health means making choices that don’t align perfectly with your physical health—and that’s okay. Healing isn’t just about managing symptoms; it’s about building a life that feels fulfilling. ?? You don’t have to do this alone. Autoimmune disease can be isolating, and for a long time, I kept it to myself. I wish I hadn’t. The people in your life want to support you—they just don’t always know how. Let them in. And if they don’t fully understand, find a community that does. Surrounding yourself with people who get it can make all the difference. If you’re newly diagnosed, know this: your diagnosis isn’t a life sentence. It’s possible to feel better, to regain control, and to live a full life. #AutoimmuneAwarenessMonth

One of the most common misconceptions about autoimmune disease is that it’s rare. When people think of common chronic illnesses, they often name heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. But autoimmune diseases? They rarely make the list—even though they impact 50 million Americans (1 in 6 people). That’s why I’m spending #AutoimmuneAwarenessMonth sharing the reality of autoimmune disease—because too many people are still being told their symptoms are “rare” when they’re anything but. So what actually is an autoimmune disease? At its core, autoimmune disease happens when the immune system attacks the body’s own healthy cells, tissues, or organs, mistaking them for a threat. There are 100+ different autoimmune diseases, impacting nearly every system in the body: ?? Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – Attacks the nervous system, impacting mobility and cognition ?? Hashimoto’s & Graves’ Disease – Autoimmune thyroid disorders that affect energy, metabolism, and mood ?? Type 1 Diabetes – The immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas ?? Rheumatoid Arthritis & Lupus – Systemic diseases causing widespread inflammation and joint pain ?? Celiac Disease – An autoimmune reaction to gluten that damages the gut lining ?? Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis – Immune-driven inflammation affecting the skin and joints ???? Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis – Chronic inflammation in the digestive tract Why is it so hard to diagnose? Autoimmune conditions are notoriously difficult to identify because they present with a wide range of non-specific symptoms—from chronic pain and fatigue to digestive issues and brain fog. These symptoms can be debilitating, fluctuate over time, and dramatically impact quality of life, making diagnosis a long and frustrating process for many patients. And yet, despite affecting more people than conditions like type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases remain underfunded, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed. Millions of people are navigating symptoms without answers, being told they’re “too young,” “too healthy,” or “too anxious” to be seriously sick. So remember: it's not that autoimmune diseases are actually "rare"—they're just rarely talked about. Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing why autoimmune disease cases are, unfortunately, skyrocketing and what’s driving the surge ??

March is Autoimmune Awareness Month—and for me, it’s personal. A few years ago, I started experiencing symptoms that didn’t make sense. Some days, I felt fine. Other days, I could barely get out of bed. The brain fog was so thick I struggled to remember basic words. My joints ached, my digestion was unpredictable, and no matter how much I slept, I woke up exhausted. I knew something was wrong. But test after test came back “normal.” Doctors told me it was stress. That I should try therapy. That maybe I just needed more sleep. I saw every “-ologist” in the book—each one hyper-focused on a single symptom, never connecting the dots. No one asked about my full history. No one mentioned that my symptoms could be autoimmune. Like so many others, I was left to figure it out on my own. Unfortunately, my story is not unique: ? 1 in 6 Americans has an autoimmune disease ? It takes an average of 4.5 years and 5 doctors to get diagnosed ? Women are disproportionately affected—but often ignored Autoimmune disease is invisible—which is exactly why it’s often overlooked, underfunded, and misunderstood. Too many people are suffering in silence, dismissed by a system that wasn’t built for them. This is why Autoimmune Awareness Month matters—because we can’t fix what we refuse to see. So, in an effort to make the invisible "visible," I’ll be sharing more over the next few weeks about: ? The hidden toll of autoimmune disease—on careers, relationships, and daily life ? Why the healthcare system wasn’t built for autoimmune patients—and what needs to change ? How sharing our stories can help change the future of autoimmune care

Last month, we launched our new Hormonal Health program, created to support women managing PCOS, endometriosis, and other hormonal health conditions, given the connection between hormones and autoimmune disease. A huge thank you to?Employee Benefit News (EBN)?for highlighting how we’re helping women navigate these conditions with compassionate care and expert guidance. At WellTheory, we’re committed to empowering women with the care they need to take control of their health.??? Read the article here:

We’re thrilled to announce that Marisa Hodges has joined WellTheory as our new Head of Enterprise Sales! Marisa brings a wealth of experience from some of the most innovative companies in healthcare, including Spring Health, Grand Rounds (now Included Health), UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna, a CVS Health Company. As an early hire at Spring Health, she played a critical role in scaling Spring Health from an early-stage startup to a $500M+ company, closing strategic deals with Fortune 100 and 500 companies. What makes Marisa a perfect fit for WellTheory isn’t just her incredible track record—it’s her personal passion for transforming care for individuals navigating chronic and autoimmune conditions. As someone with her own lived experience, Marisa deeply understands the challenges patients face firsthand and is driven to make a meaningful impact. We’re excited to have Marisa’s expertise and leadership as we expand our efforts to advance our mission and deliver holistic, root-cause-driven care to more employers and their teams (and thank you to Fortune Most Powerful Women for sharing the news!) Welcome to the team, Marisa! ??

Healthcare costs are on the rise in 2025, with Mercer projecting a 5.8% increase in employee health benefit costs this year. With that, employers are feeling the pressure to keep benefits affordable without compromising quality. Our Founder and CEO, Ellen Rudolph, recently shared her predictions on what will be top-of-mind for employer in 2025 in BenefitsPRO: ?? Employers will double down on managing high-cost claimants and controlling drug spend—especially as high-cost specialty drugs like autoimmune biologics continue to drive pharmacy costs higher. ?? We’ll see a shift from retention-focused perks to cost-saving benefits that prioritize affordability without sacrificing support for employees. Autoimmune care doesn’t have to break the bank for employers—or leave employees struggling with out-of-pocket costs. At WellTheory, we believe smart, proactive strategies can help businesses manage costs and deliver better care. Better care, more savings—let’s make 2025 the year we achieve both.

2025: A New Era for Women’s Health Investment For years, women’s health has been drastically underfunded—receiving just 3% of digital health funding between 2011 and 2020, according to Rock Health, with most investments focused solely on fertility and reproductive health. As we look ahead to 2025, our Founder and CEO Ellen Rudolph predicts a shift in focus—one that prioritizes women’s health across the entire lifecycle. From cardiovascular conditions to menopause and autoimmune diseases, the need for solutions addressing chronic conditions that disproportionately impact women is clear. Women make 80% of healthcare decisions, yet our health needs have been sidelined for too long. Investors are starting to take notice, and we expect to see continued investment in innovative, evidence-based care models that go beyond reproductive health—delivering the support women need at every stage of life. At WellTheory, we’re proud to be part of this movement—empowering women to take control of their health and live better, healthier lives. Thank you to MobiHealthNews for spotlighting 2025 as the year of women’s health!