By Diana Manos October 10, 2019, 3:38 p.m. EDT
UnitedHealthcare, the
nation’s largest health plan, is introducing a new app that will help its
members streamline their care and conduct telehealth visits with their doctor.
The app is available
for free on Android and Apple devices to the more than 27 million people
enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored health benefit plans.
With the app, members
can virtually visit with their physicians on their mobile phones, tablets or
computers, 24 hours a day, according to a spokesperson for United. Some members
may have to pay out-of-pocket costs for the telemedicine services, depending on
the plan and any applicable state requirements.
The new app will
replace United’s existing Health4Me app over time and is aimed to give plan
participants a single source to help them maintain and improve their well
being, according to a statement by the Minnetonka, Minn.-based health plan.
“The new app is part
of UnitedHealth Group’s more than $3 billion annual investment in data,
technology and innovation, helping build a health system that is more
intuitive, affordable and convenient,” says Anne Docimo, MD, the company’s
chief medical officer. “Digital health resources are fundamentally changing how
people navigate the health system, making it possible to access care from
anywhere at any time and helping remove barriers to care.”
United’s move to
offer members easy access to telehealth coincides with a larger trend. A 2019
study by the National Business Group on Health found that 51 percent of
companies are planning to make more use of virtual care solutions. Other
studies show that interest in expanding virtual care is especially important to
people with chronic conditions and to the 20 percent of the U.S. population
that lives in rural areas.
Pat Keran, vice
president of product and innovation for United, says the app helps members to
decide when to use telehealth, with telehealth visits typically lasting about
20 minutes. Via telehealth, members can see their doctors for treatment of
allergies, flu, colds, pinkeye, fevers and rashes. In addition, telehealth also
can be used to obtain prescription medications.
An analysis of 2016
UnitedHealthcare emergency department claims data shows that 25 percent of
emergency visits could have been avoided, and instead should have been treated
via telehealth, with a primary care physician visit or in an urgent/convenient
care setting.
In addition to
telehealth, some of the other features of United’s new app include: the ability
to access health plan ID cards on a smartphone; the ability to email ID cards
directly from a mobile device to a healthcare provider; review and management
of prescriptions; comparison shopping for care; saving claims and inserting
notes for follow-up; locating nearby providers; and checking account balances.
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