WellTheory, a virtual autoimmune care platform, has launched a partnership with Instacart to provide grocery stipends for patients managing autoimmune conditions. The collaboration integrates Instacart Health Fresh Funds into WellTheory’s virtual care model, addressing food access barriers that often prevent patients from following recommended dietary protocols.
The partnership serves more than 300,000 eligible WellTheory members who can now purchase clinically recommended groceries through the program. Virtual autoimmune care has traditionally focused on medication management and lifestyle coaching, but this initiative tackles the practical challenge of translating nutritional guidance into accessible food purchases.
Autoimmune patients frequently struggle with accessing anti-inflammatory foods due to cost, availability, and the complexity of implementing dietary recommendations. The Instacart partnership removes these obstacles by providing direct grocery stipends that members can use to purchase foods specifically recommended by their care teams.
“Nutrition is at the core of WellTheory’s mission to reverse the autoimmune epidemic, yet patients face real obstacles in translating clinical nutrition guidance into their daily lives,” said Claire Rudolph, co-founder and head of product at WellTheory. “There’s so much friction : from knowing what foods to buy to affording and accessing them. Our partnership with Instacart removes these barriers, making it easier for our members to follow evidence-based dietary protocols and truly nourish their healing journeys.”
The grocery delivery platform reaches more than 98% of U.S. households, including 95% of those in food deserts and nearly 98% of SNAP-enrolled households. This extensive coverage ensures that virtual autoimmune care patients across diverse geographic and economic circumstances can benefit from the grocery stipend program.
WellTheory’s approach combines virtual consultations with registered dietitians, board-certified health coaches, and personalized nutrition plans. The company partners with major employers and health plans, including Maven Clinic and Sentara, to deliver comprehensive autoimmune care that addresses root causes rather than just symptoms.
The three-year-old startup has experienced rapid growth in 2025, reporting 10-times year-over-year member growth and five-times revenue growth. WellTheory secured $14 million in Series A funding in October, led by General Catalyst, with participation from 7wire Ventures, Ingeborg Investments, Accel, Box Group, Leaps by Bayer, and Up2 Opportunity Fund. The company has raised $26.2 million total.
“At Instacart, we believe food is one of the most powerful tools to support better health,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, vice president and general manager of health at Instacart. “Through Instacart Health and our consumer technology, we’re helping partners like WellTheory integrate nutrition directly into patient care turning clinical guidance into action by making it easier for patients to access the right foods to support their health from the comfort of home.”
The partnership represents a growing trend of virtual healthcare platforms addressing social determinants of health, particularly food access and nutrition security for chronic disease management.
