- Partnership with Doctor On Demand,
Optum’s NowClinic® and American Well offers convenient,
cost-effective virtual visits for UnitedHealthcare plan
participants
- Expanded choice from a network of
virtual-care physicians
- Virtual visits covered as an
in-network benefit
- Available to self-funded employer
customers now; expanding to additional employer-sponsored and
individual plan participants in 2016
UnitedHealthcare is expanding coverage options for virtual
physician visits, giving people enrolled in self-funded employer
health plans secure, online access to a physician via mobile phone,
tablet or computer 24 hours a day.
A new network of care providers offering video-based virtual
visits enables UnitedHealthcare plan participants across the
country to choose from in-network virtual care provider groups,
then see and speak with a doctor using real-time audio and video
technology to obtain a diagnosis and any necessary prescriptions
for minor medical needs including allergies, sinus and bladder
infections, bronchitis and other conditions.
Coverage for virtual care provider visits is now available to
self-funded employer customers and will expand to UnitedHealthcare
employer-sponsored and individual plan participants in 2016, giving
more people expanded in-network care options.
There is a shortage of 45,000 primary care physicians in meeting
the needs of patients nationwide, according to the American
Association of Medical Colleges. The issue is especially
challenging for the 25 percent of the U.S. population that lives in
rural areas, where access to health care, particularly subspecialty
care, is often lacking.
More than 10 million consumers directly benefited from using
telemedicine last year, according to the American Telemedicine
Association, and a recent Harris Poll survey found that more than a
quarter of consumers (27 percent) would choose a telehealth visit
if the option was available to them. The ability to leverage
telehealth technology and enable virtual visits improves access to
critical health services.
“UnitedHealthcare is developing innovative telemedicine
solutions that enable consumers, especially people who live in
rural areas of the country, to access quality, cost-effective
health care, whether at home or on the go,” said Jeff Alter, CEO of
UnitedHealthcare’s Commercial Group business. “Consumers can save
time and money choosing among quality physician groups from the
convenience of their smartphone, tablet or home computer at any
time of the day.”
People can access a list of participating virtual-visit care
providers through UnitedHealthcare’s Health4Me™ mobile app. From
the “Find and Price Care” page, Health4Me users can review the
in-network provider groups and the cost of a virtual visit with
each contracted provider group. From there, users can connect
directly to the provider group of their choice. UnitedHealthcare’s
primary member portal, myuhc.com, also provides information about
and access to the virtual-visit care providers.
The cost of a video-based virtual visit is less than $50 and
provides significant savings when compared to costs for similar
minor medical needs treated at a doctor’s office ($80), urgent care
facility ($160) or emergency room ($650). UnitedHealthcare plan
participants pay a portion of the cost for the virtual visit,
subject to deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket expenses based on
their specific benefit plan.
UnitedHealthcare is partnering with Doctor On Demand, Optum’s
NowClinic and American Well’s Amwell to provide video-based virtual
visits in 47 states and Washington, D.C. UnitedHealthcare will add
network care providers in the future to further expand choice and
access for plan participants.
“We are grateful that UnitedHealthcare has chosen Doctor On
Demand as an inaugural video visit provider,” said Adam Jackson,
co-founder and CEO of Doctor On Demand. “We built Doctor On Demand
to provide the easiest, most convenient access to some of the best
physicians in the country. In partnership with UnitedHealthcare, we
can now help even more Americans get the care they need. Starting
immediately, our highly rated service will be available to eligible
United Healthcare employer customers.”
“It’s easy to consult with a NowClinic doctor,” said Mike
Weissel, executive vice president, Optum Consumer Solutions Group.
“We are bringing convenient and quality, cost-effective health care
directly to consumers, who can access board-certified physicians
through our mobile application whenever and wherever they may need
care.”
“The nation’s top health systems and health plans trust American
Well to deliver an excellent patient experience,” said Ido
Schoenberg, M.D., CEO of American Well. “We are delighted that
patients served by UnitedHealthcare will now have Amwell as a
covered benefit – giving them dependable and affordable access to
medical care anytime.”
About
UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping
people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health
care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and
sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company
offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for
individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and
their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and
contracts directly with more than 850,000 physicians and care
professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities
nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and
well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at
www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.
About Doctor On DemandDoctor
On Demand is a healthcare service that provides Video Visits with
Board Certified Physicians, Psychologists, and Lactation
Consultants via smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. Doctor
On Demand delivers services through employers, health systems,
health plans, and directly to consumers. Patients simply download
the Doctor On Demand app or visit www.doctorondemand.com, provide a
list of their symptoms, and are instantly connected for a Video
Visit. Consumers rate Doctor On Demand as the best Video Visit
provider. The company has more 5 star App Store reviews than every
other telemedicine app combined. 87% of patients love Doctor On
Demand so much they have recommended it to their family and
friends. Entrepreneurs Dr. Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw and Adam Jackson
founded the company in 2012 to provide fast, easy, and
cost-effective access to high quality medical and behavioral health
care. To learn more, please visit www.doctorondemand.com.
About NowClinicOptum’s
NowClinic is a telemedicine service that is helping transform the
health care delivery system – moving from a condition-centered to a
consumer-centered model – offering innovations in technology and
breadth of provider network and clinical expertise. NowClinic
connects people with board certified, licensed health care
providers whenever and however it’s convenient for them – online,
by phone or mobile device through our popular app. NowClinic has
proven to help consumers avoid expensive and time-consuming visits
to the emergency room or urgent care – 95 percent of NowClinic
users say they would “definitely” use us again. NowClinic is
available in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia. For
additional information, please visit www.nowclinic.com.
About American WellAmerican
Well, the nation’s largest telehealth service, has delivered
healthcare into the homes and workplaces of patients for close to a
decade. Serving the nation’s top health systems, health plans, as
well as hundreds of national employers, American Well provides a
modern healthcare experience by connecting consumers with
board-certified healthcare professionals via video over web or
mobile. American Well has the most downloaded telehealth app and
became the first company to receive accreditation by the American
Telemedicine Association (ATA) earlier this year. American
Well, Amwell, and Amwell Therapy Associates are trademarks of
American Well Corporation in the United States and other countries.
All other trademarks used are the property of their respective
owners. For more information, visit AmericanWell.com or follow
American Well on Facebook and Twitter.
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UnitedHealthcareLynne High, 952-979-5861Lynne_m_high@uhc.com
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