BlueCross BlueShield of Western N.Y. To Launch Telemedicine Programs

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

BlueCross BlueShield of Western N.Y. To Launch Telemedicine Programs

BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York has announced plans to introduce a telemedicine service allowing patients to connect with physicians on demand 24 hours a day via Webcams, phone conversations or secure text messages, the Buffalo News reports.

The program will use technology from American Well that is integrated with Microsoft's HealthVault public health record system(Davis, Buffalo News, 3/10).

During the online visits, physicians will be able to access the patient's clinical data, communicate with the patient, prescribe medications and recommend follow-up care (Wicklund, Healthcare IT News, 3/10).

The insurer plans to reimburse physicians for the services they provide (Kolbasuk McGee, Information Week, 3/10).

Expansion Plans

HealthNow New York, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York's parent company, said it will make the service available in Buffalo to 35,000 patients, 450 physicians and 1,400 employees in June.

Later in 2010, the service will expand to all of HealthNow New York's 500,000 members in Western New York.

By 2011, the service is expected to be available to all state residents, including the uninsured (Buffalo News, 3/10).