Trend: Health plans expanding online physician connection options

For a while, e-visits between physicians were little more than an intriguing idea. Aside from a few pioneering doctors who set up web-based e-visit technology on their own, few doctors had given the approach a try. Now, however, the notion is becoming more mainstream, with major insurers even reimbursing for these services. Generally speaking, such visits tend to be less expensive than in-office visits, paying doctors $25 to $35 with an average $10 patient co-payment.

For example, insurers Aetna and Cigna use service RelayHealth to offer online consultations to their members. RelayHealth asks patients to answer a questionnaire about their symptoms, then sends a report to their doctor. The doctor responds with questions, prescriptions, referrals or treatment advice. Patients can also schedule future appointments, get prescription refills and retrieve test results. RelayHealth also offers automatic alerts for serious conditions.

Another company helping to streamline the e-visit process is American Well, which works with OptumHealth and Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance programs in Hawaii and Minnesota. Using American Well's platform, the health plans let patients visit with doctors using secure online chats, phone discussions or video conferences. The e-visits allow doctors to prescribe or, if need be, recommend an in-person visit.

So what it will take for e-visits to make the next big leap? My guess is that when Medicare goes whole hog into incenting e-visits, they'll become as commonplace as face-to-face visits are today.

To learn more about this trend:
- read this Wall Street  Journal piece

Related Articles:
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Study: Emailing doctors reduces office visit volume

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