Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Expands Virtual Primary Care, Providing Members Increased Access to Affordable, Convenient Care

Members will be able to leverage virtual primary care for primary care and urgent healthcare needs

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--()--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky today announced the availability of its virtual primary care service to eligible members in its commercial health plans, meeting consumers’ demands of easier access to high-quality care – where, how, and when they want it. With virtual primary care, members will have access to a virtual care team that conducts an initial health check-in, creates a personalized care plan, and provides care services to help members improve their health and wellbeing – all at no or low-cost.

“This virtual primary care offering is part of our ongoing efforts to redefine the future of healthcare – giving Kentuckians more ways to connect with their doctors; integrating digital, virtual, and in-person care,” said Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky Commercial President Kennan Wethington. “Consumers are adopting digital healthcare technologies at an accelerating pace, just as they have in other areas of their lives. That’s why we continually introduce innovative digital services to make healthcare more simple, accessible, and affordable.”

Through Sydney Health, eligible members will have access to virtual primary care:

  • Through secure in-app medical text chat for on-demand 24/7 urgent care as well as scheduled follow-up visits for wellness, prevention, and chronic condition care;
  • A video-based, preventive wellness visit resulting in a care plan, offering proactive future care guidance;
  • Routine care support services including new prescriptions and refills, and preventive tests, screening and labs;
  • Referrals to in-network, in-person primary and specialty care, when needed.

Anthem’s virtual primary care service is personalized to the member’s unique care needs through AI-driven modeling and analytics, improving the healthcare experience. Data and insights from the initial symptom assessment, which is informed by millions of care interactions, is also shared with the virtual primary care doctor to better inform the care visit.

Anthem’s virtual primary care providers can address many conditions and help individuals manage their chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. Virtual primary care will also provide members urgent care for minor health issues, including allergies, cold and flu, skin rashes, and more. This service will also make it easier for members to complete other routine tasks such as check-ins with providers and medication refills. And for members who already have a primary care provider, Anthem’s virtual primary care complements the healthcare services they receive from in-person care.

Virtual primary care is currently available to eligible individuals enrolled in Anthem’s fully insured plans as well as select large group administrative services (ASO) clients. Anthem expects many ASO clients will make this service available to their employees and dependents by the end of the year.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, 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 and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/anthemBCBS and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossBlueShield.

Contacts

Media Contact:
Jeff Blunt
Jeff.Blunt@Anthem.com
513-315-1145

Contacts

Media Contact:
Jeff Blunt
Jeff.Blunt@Anthem.com
513-315-1145