SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Findings presented today at the Medicaid Managed Care Congress showed that Amerigroup Washington members with a TracFone Lifeline phone who are enrolled in Voxiva’s Connect4health digital health messaging service were three times more likely to attend their annual physical exam within 90 days of receiving interactive text messages. More than 200,000 Amerigroup members across the country have enrolled in Connect4health—with more than 3,500 in Washington alone.
“In the busy world that we all live in, any tool that helps remind us of important events like scheduling an annual physical is extremely useful,” said Daryl Edmonds, Amerigroup Washington president. “By providing members with tools designed to improve their health outcomes, we are achieving our goal of building healthier generations of Washingtonians.”
Voxiva has partnered with TracFone, a wireless phone company, to create SafeLink Health Solutions. Through the SafeLink Health Solutions program, Amerigroup members receive a phone, monthly service, free calls to their health plan and Voxiva’s Connect4health digital health program, all at no cost.
Connect4health delivers timely and personalized messages that encourage members to follow recommended guidelines for physical exams, preventive screenings, flu shots and vaccinations. It also connects members to key services and benefits available to them from Amerigroup. It was designed to improve key quality measures for health plans (HEDIS) and increase member engagement, satisfaction and retention.
One of the key goals of Connect4health is to increase attendance rates for recommended preventative screenings. For members who are overdue for an annual physical, Connect4health sends a personalized set of messages explaining that exams are covered by Amerigroup and encouraging them to go. An analysis of national Amerigroup claims data showed that members who received these personalized messages were three times more likely to attend an annual physical visit within 90 days of receiving them.
National program data also showed the following:
- 71 percent of Amerigroup users said Connect4health messages helped them remember to go to their doctor.
- 52 percent of Amerigroup users said they learned about Amerigroup plan benefits from Connect4health.
- 36 percent of Amerigroup users said they talked to a doctor or nurse about topics in the messages.
“The data shows that our members are not only interested in receiving information through text messages, but they are also encouraged by the messages to take actions that improve their health and the health of their families,” said Edmonds.
Connect4health and SafeLink Health Solutions are currently offered to Amerigroup Medicaid plan members in 11 states. Prior to the launch of the services, the content of the health messages was approved by Amerigroup clinical leaders and state Medicaid agencies in each of those 11 states.
"For over 14 years, Voxiva has been leveraging the reach of mobile technology to improve health outcomes.
We are delighted that this partnership with Amerigroup is showing how we can reach and engage Amerigroup members at very large scale and help achieve critical health goals" said Paul Meyer, Voxiva's chairman and president.
“The data clearly shows that when individuals have access to a phone with mobile health technology, it will lead to a stronger and healthier life,” said F.J. Pollak, president and CEO of TracFone. “Empowerment over one’s health is a great tool and we are extremely proud of our relationship with both Amerigroup and Voxiva in helping thousands of members take control over their own health.”
ABOUT VOXIVA
A pioneer of the digital health industry since 2001, Voxiva’s proven population health programs reach and engage individuals at large scale to improve their health, and deliver cost and quality improvement results for clients. Voxiva’s programs combine evidence-based health content, deep behavior change expertise and state-of-the-art digital tools to reach, engage, educate and support users. Numerous published research studies have demonstrated Voxiva’s positive impact on maternal health (Text4baby), diabetes (Care4life), smoking cessation (Text2quit) and member engagement (Connect4health). Working with health providers, state Medicaid agencies, and over 25 large health plan clients, Voxiva’s programs have enrolled more than 1.5 million people and interacted with them more than 200 million times. Learn more at www.voxiva.com.
ABOUT AMERIGROUP WASHINGTON
Amerigroup Washington helps improve health care access and quality for approximately 140,000 low-income Washington citizens by developing innovative care management programs and services. Members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. Amerigroup Washington provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. Through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
ABOUT TRACFONE
TracFone Wireless is a subsidiary of América Móvil S.A.B. de C.V. ("AMX") (BMV: AMX; NYSE: AMX; NASDAQ: AMOV; LATIBEX: XAMXL), the 5th largest cell phone company in the world and the largest in all of the Americas with more than 236 million wireless subscribers. To learn more visit www.safelinkhealthsolutions.com or contact info@safelinkhealthsolutions.com.