LATHAM, N.Y. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) in New York 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 as we work toward our mission to materially and measurably improve the health of all New Yorkers. This offering gives members more ways to connect with doctors; integrating digital, virtual, and in-person care,” said Alan Murray, President & CEO of Empire. “Consumers are adopting digital technologies at an accelerating pace. To meet this demand, we continually introduce innovative services that make healthcare more convenient, fit into New Yorkers’ increasingly busy schedules, and align with the more consumer-centric experiences they have come to expect in many other areas of their lives.”
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.
Empire’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.
Empire’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, Empire’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 Empire’s fully insured plans as well as select large group administrative services (ASO) clients. Empire expects many ASO clients will make this service available to their employees and dependents by the end of the year.
About Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc. and Empire BlueCross HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc. independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/empire-bluecross/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/empire-bluecross-blueshield/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/EmpireBCBS and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EmpireBlueCrossBlueShield.
