Switchboard Health, a company specialising in creating a high-value speciality care network and software platform, has garnered $6.5m in a series seed round.

The investment was led by First Trust Capital Partners, with contributions from Route 66 Ventures, InnovateHealth Ventures, Capital Eleven, and Ikigai Growth Partners.

Switchboard said the financial boost will help in advancing the development of its software platform and expanding its implementation with health plans and value-based care providers.

Switchboard co-founder and CEO Derek Baird said: “This investment accelerates our mission to improve speciality care access, affordability, and patient experience.

“Our team is heartened by our investor support and excited to put this capital into the development of our tech-enabled care network and the success of our growing client base.”

Switchboard is introducing new health plan clients that are eager to offer their members ‘seamless’ and ‘modern’ care options.

The company said that its care network allows health plans to deploy a single platform that can improve member satisfaction, lower costs, and offer timely care access.

The network is set to be available across ten specialities in 12 states to alleviate the administrative load for payers aiming to improve their network offerings.

First Trust Capital Partners managing director Jon Phillips said: “We know that health plans are more focused than ever on speciality care access.

“We are excited to invest in Switchboard knowing that it can deliver convenient care options that result in meaningful cost and quality improvements.”

Furthermore, Switchboard’s software features a provider matching engine to help identify speciality care options for patients based on location, insurance, cost, quality, and more.

The software incorporates evidence-based virtual care models from the Switchboard Network. This includes partnerships with providers such as Heartbeat Health, Brightside Health, Tono Health, and others.