RELEASE
Blue Care Network Offers Members Care From Anywhere with Virtual Primary Care Plan for 2023 Open Enrollment
Brianna Neace
| 4 min read
DETROIT, August 30, 2022 – Blue Care Network will offer a new, low-cost plan providing coordinated, virtual access to primary, urgent and behavioral health care for individual members and fully-insured group customers for 2023 enrollment. Developed in partnership with Included Health, an integrated clinical care and healthcare navigation platform, the Virtual Primary Care plan helps members access the care they need, when and where they need it from anywhere in the U.S., at any time.
Through the Doctor On Demand by Included Health dedicated mobile app, members create a profile and choose a board-certified, primary care provider (PCP) who will walk them through their first visit, manage their future visits and coordinate all their integrated care needs from current health concerns and specialist referrals to behavioral health appointments and urgent care visits.
Much like the traditional in-person setting, patients and PCPs will have the opportunity to develop a long-term relationship starting with the member’s first visit during which the PCP will explain their role, walk through the ease of scheduling appointments, discuss health history and explain how to use the included Primary Care Kit. This free self-assessment kit, which includes a digital blood pressure monitor and thermometer, is mailed to every Virtual Primary Care plan household at onboarding for their first wellness visit. Additionally, free chronic condition kits will be provided (based on diagnoses) for asthma, diabetes, hypertension and more.
“We saw the use of telehealth visits increase tremendously at the start of the pandemic, and while usage has leveled off a bit, it still remains significantly higher now that people have become familiar with the technology and how convenient virtual health care visits can be,” said Kathyrn Levine, president and CEO of Blue Care Network. “We’re excited to provide a product tailored specifically to those who are looking for the convenience and affordability that virtual care offers, while still wanting high-quality, personalized care.”
Through the Virtual Primary Care Plan, virtual primary and behavioral health care visits are provided at zero or low out-of-pocket costs to members, and primary care providers offer seamless specialist referrals through the Blue Care Network provider network for members needing further assistance.
Virtual urgent care visits are available in less than 10 minutes anywhere in the U.S., 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All medical history is recorded electronically and easily accessible to specialists or urgent care doctors during a visit, as well as the member’s PCP for later review, so care remains coordinated in any situation. Between visits, members can message or call their care team with follow-up questions, instructions for specialist visits or prescription refills.
“This is not the telehealth experience we’ve seen in years past,” said Levine. “Virtual Primary Care provides the ease of access and affordability provided by virtual care, with the high-touch feel of visiting a family doctor that many of our members really value.”
“Our comprehensive, member-centered approach to primary care makes it easy to get great care no matter where you live in the U.S. Whether that is for preventive, chronic, acute, or behavioral health needs, Included Health’s high-quality clinical care teams provide personalized mind and body care 24/7 that can be scaled for an entire population,” said Robin Glass, president of Included Health. “We know how critical it is for our members to build trust and have a connection with their doctors and care team so we can help them through every healthcare issue, from the big to the small. We’re here for it all, to deliver the best possible clinical outcomes for everyone.”
All Doctor On Demand by Included Health physicians specialize in internal medicine, family medicine, behavioral or emergency medicine. Behavioral health providers include psychiatrists, psychologists and master’s level therapists. Every member is supported by a care team with nurse triage and is able to access care through messaging, a video visit in the app or a phone call.
To learn more about the Virtual Primary Care plan, visit www.bcbsm.com/virtualcarehmo for additional details.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for more than 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com.
About Included Health Included Health is a new kind of healthcare company, delivering integrated virtual care and navigation. We're on a mission to raise the standard of healthcare for everyone. We are the only complete, integrated healthcare delivery platform designed to support the unique healthcare journey of each person. We offer our members care guidance, advocacy, and access to personalized virtual and in-person care for everyday and urgent care, primary care, behavioral health, and specialty care. It's all included. Learn more at IncludedHealth.com.
