The insurance carrier has partnered with multiple virtual care providers to offer members convenient access and preferred pricing
Medavie Blue Cross has enhanced its services to plan members with a new digital health platform. Through Connected Care, the company said it is providing greater flexibility to innovative offerings, new virtual health care services, and additional self-service options.
Citing survey figures from the Canadian Medical Association, the firm said that virtual care would allow access to more timely treatment (a view held by nearly three quarters of Canadians) and lead to better overall health care (60% of Canadians). But according to Canada Health Infoway, just 6% of Canadians are able to see their own physician through virtual care.
The Connected Care platform, which members can access through a mobile app and online via the Medavie Blue Cross member services site, offers opportunities to access specialized services provided by selected partners.
“Connected Care offers convenient access and preferred pricing to leading online health care providers and services, so members can access the care they want, when they need it, from anywhere,” said Shane Reid, Director, Product, Pharmacy, and Provider Management.
The virtual health care services offered on the platform include:
- 24/7 on-demand access to doctors, provided by virtual-care leader Maple. Plan members can get advice, diagnosis, and prescription through secure text or video at a preferred price;
- Personalized medicine through Pillcheck by GeneYouIn, which offers access to pharmacogenetics testing. Members are offered preferred pricing on a genomics-guided medication management service to help patients and physicians;
- Digital therapy for mental health issues. Based on plan design, Connected Care reduces barriers and offers phone- and text-based access to internet-enabled cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) from accredited professionals at Beacon and Morneau Shepell.
“As the only provider in Canada who can connect patients to doctors in minutes, day or night, we're empowering Canadians to more proactively manage their health,” said Dr Brett Belchetz, CEO and co-founder of Maple.
