In a significant move within Brazil's healthcare technology landscape, Unimed has successfully merged two of its technology subsidiaries, Zitrus and Unio, to establish a new healthtech entity named Nexdom. This strategic initiative aims to streamline health insurance processes and enhance customer service across the Sistema Unimed network, which consists of independent doctors and hospital networks.

The Birth of Nexdom

Nexdom emerges as a product of the Sinergia Unimed ERP project, designed to create a centralized solution for managing health insurance operations. Daniel Torres, CEO of Nexdom, emphasized that the merger was conceived to combine the best existing solutions into a single entity, allowing health insurance providers to prioritize customer service while Nexdom concentrates on technological advancements.

Launched in October 2024, Nexdom begins its operations with an impressive annual revenue of $12.5 million and an estimated valuation of $44.5 million. The company's primary objective is to serve approximately 80% of the members within the Sistema Unimed network over the next three years. Following this initial phase, Nexdom plans to expand its offerings to other healthcare providers.

Services Offered by Nexdom

Nexdom's suite of services is comprehensive, encompassing health plan management, health insurance authorizations, reimbursement solutions, customer relationship management, and business intelligence tools. By leveraging technology, Nexdom seeks to enhance the efficiency of health insurance processes, ultimately leading to improved customer experiences.

The merger not only consolidates existing technological resources but also introduces innovative solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare market. Torres highlighted the importance of utilizing technology as a means to address the challenges facing the current supplementary health system in Brazil, which has encountered significant strain in recent years.

Investment and Strategic Planning

The creation of Nexdom required two years of development and a substantial investment of R$ 15 million from Unimed Participações. To facilitate this process, Unimed engaged Deloitte to help structure Nexdom as a closed capital company. This investment underscores Unimed's commitment to enhancing its technological capabilities within the healthcare sector.

The new healthtech company is particularly focused on addressing the fragmentation of software systems currently used across the Unimed network. Torres noted that there were 29 different management systems identified within the organization, highlighting the need for a unified approach. By centralizing these systems, Nexdom aims to simplify operations and enable quicker decision-making within the healthcare network.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Nexdom is poised for significant growth. The company aims to double its annual revenue to R$ 140 million by the end of 2025. Torres acknowledged that the primary challenge lies in integrating existing software solutions while simultaneously developing new technologies that align with market demands.

As part of its forward-thinking strategy, Nexdom is investing in automation and machine learning technologies. Additionally, the company is establishing a dedicated area for artificial intelligence, which is expected to enhance user experiences by streamlining appointment scheduling and improving overall service delivery.

The merger of Zitrus and Unio to form Nexdom represents a pivotal moment for Unimed and the Brazilian healthtech landscape. By focusing on technological innovation and centralized solutions, Nexdom is set to transform the way health insurance services are delivered. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to improving healthcare accessibility, Nexdom aims to contribute significantly to the evolution of Brazil's healthcare system, making it more efficient and customer-centric. As the healthtech sector continues to expand, Nexdom's establishment could serve as a model for future collaborations in the industry.