NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Safety Net Connect (SNC), a leading provider of innovative web-based healthcare tools for organizations assisting underserved populations, is pleased to announce that HealthyCT, Connecticut’s non-profit health insurance CO-OP, will utilize SNC’s eConsult technology under contract with Community eConsult Network (CeCN) (a program of Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC), Connecticut's largest primary care provider for the underserved, and CHC’s Weitzman Institute) to provide timely access to quality specialty care for high-risk, underserved HealthyCT members.
Based on exceptional results of a year-long eConsult pilot within CHC, CeCN was established to serve as an eConsult hub – not only for CHC patients, but also for patients across Connecticut and beyond. HealthyCT’s agreement with CeCN opens the door for patients and providers across Connecticut to gain access to SNC’s valuable eConsult tool.
In March 2016, HealthyCT rolled out a customized version of the CeCN eConsult program – powered by SNC’s award-winning eConsult technology platform – to Community Health Centers across Connecticut, with plans to expand the program to additional practices in the coming months. Fully funded by HealthyCT, eConsult is provided at no cost to participating centers or patients, in an effort to improve care coordination and communication between primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists, increase specialty care access, and reduce healthcare costs.
The HealthyCT eConsult system gives participating PCPs a convenient way to connect with specialists in areas such as cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, pain management, and endocrinology – with more specialties to be added over time. When a patient has a concern that may need specialty attention, PCPs can use the eConsult portal to securely submit questions and relevant patient information such as chart notes and lab results – and a specialist will review the information and provide advice within two business days. This eliminates wait times and travel for those who do not require a face-to-face, keeps more patients in their medical home, and reserves specialty appointments for pre-qualified individuals.
“CeCN has a nationwide mission to help organizations such as HealthyCT leverage next-generation technology like SNC’s eConsult platform to improve healthcare for underserved populations,” says Daren Anderson, MD, Director of Weitzman Institute, and Vice President, Chief Quality Officer of CHC. “Because eConsult technology gives primary care physicians convenient and direct access to specialists, we are seeing outstanding outcomes in continuity of care, access, cost reduction, and quality of health.”
“We are thrilled to be part of CeCN’s efforts to expand eConsult across the nation in partnership with pioneering organizations like HealthyCT,” says Chris Cruttenden, President of SNC. “What an exciting advancement in role of telehealth technology for improving healthcare access, coordination, and equity for millions of Americans.”
About HealthyCT
Founded by physicians, HealthyCT opened for business in 2013 with a mission to provide Connecticut residents with comprehensive health insurance and easy access to quality healthcare. It is committed to developing an innovative, progressive health plan that ensures the delivery of patient-centered care for individuals, families and businesses of all sizes. Unlike traditional for-profit insurance companies, any profits generated by HealthyCT are to be used to stabilize or reduce premiums to consumers and businesses, and/or to enhance plan benefits and services. For more information, please visit www.HealthyCT.org
About Community eConsult Network
Community eConsult Network (CeCN) is a novel collaboration of primary care practices, payers, state government, and academia led by Community Health Center, Inc. Partners include: Community Health Center, Inc., Weitzman Institute, UConn Health Center, Penobscot Community Health Care of Maine, and select private practice groups across Connecticut. CeCN links primary care practices to specialty care providers through eConsult technology to increase access to specialty care for medically underserved populations; to improve efficiency, health outcomes, and quality; and to create better communication and collaboration between primary care providers and specialists. For more information, please visit www.weitzmaninstitute.org/econsults
About Safety Net Connect
Since 2009, Safety Net Connect (SNC) has partnered with public and private organizations to provide a multitude of successful and nationally recognized web-based healthcare solutions for underserved and safety net populations. SNC’s innovative solutions have reached over 5 million patients from clients such as Los Angeles Department of Health Services (LADHS), MedPoint, LA Care, Orange County Healthcare Agency, CalOptima, San Diego Healthcare Agency, and Cook County MHN (an Illinois Medicaid Project). For more information, please visit www.safetynetconnect.com
