DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) announced it has partnered with Script Adviser to provide access to infectious disease specialists via telemedicine for Colorado members who otherwise might require emergency care, hospital admission or would have to be transported from a rural, mountain community to metro areas for higher levels of care.
Script Adviser is a Denver-based infectious disease medical practice that delivers its services via the Internet to primary care physicians and other providers who need consultations on complex medical conditions such as post-operative infections, complicated urinary tract infections and pneumonia. For Coloradoans who live far from major medical centers, this means they can stay in their home communities rather than travel to a metro area to receive care.
“Anthem’s partnership with Script Adviser allows primary care physicians to have immediate real-time video consultations on complex cases that will improve patients’ health and lower the cost of care,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kraft, senior clinical officer for Anthem in Colorado. “Anthem’s partnership with Script Adviser will help improve access to specialty care and medical outcomes for patients while keeping health care local – a valuable benefit for all involved.”
Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center began using Script Adviser routinely at its hospital, nursing homes and clinics in Walsenburg earlier this year.
"Script Adviser is a great tool to connect our physicians, through video conferencing, to specialists around the country - allowing us to provide the best treatment available without ever moving the patient to another hospital," said Korine Paisley, marketing and public relations director for Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center. "If needed, three-way video conferencing occurs between the patient, physician and specialist. We are excited to use this technology to provide cutting-edge and comprehensive treatment to our patients in the most convenient setting possible."
Anthem has not only contracted with Script Adviser but is also partnering with them to make sure that participating Enhanced Personal Health Care (EPHC) primary care physicians are aware of their services. EPHC is Anthem’s signature patient-centered care payment innovation program that supports participating providers as they change the way they deliver care and agree to be compensated based on keeping members as healthy as possible.
“Anthem has taken this collaboration to the next level by working with its Enhanced Personal Health Care docs so they know that Script Adviser is in their toolbox to deliver the best possible care to patients,” said Jesson Prohaska, President and CEO of Script Adviser. “Together, we can achieve the Triple Aim of improving access and quality while lowering costs.”
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado is available at www.anthem.com. Also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AskAnthem or www.twitter.com/AnthemPR_CO, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AskAnthem.