Partners HealthCare, Teladoc Partner for Urgent Care Video Visits

Boston-based Partners HealthCare announced that it has recently deployed a new telehealth initiative around urgent care video visits.

The health system is working in conjunction with Teladoc Health on the new solution, which is called Partners HealthCare On Demand. Officials say that the solution will provide urgent care services from Partners HealthCare clinicians for minor illnesses and injuries.

Partners HealthCare On Demand will first be exclusively offered to commercial members of the system's health plan, Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP), which will become AllWays Health Partners on January 1, 2019. Patients will be connected to providers through a secure video visit accessed through the web or a mobile device.

The Partners telehealth initiative is being managed by Partners Connected Health, in collaboration with Partners Community Physicians Organization and Neighborhood Health Plan.

Data from a 2017 survey conducted by Teladoc Health found that virtual care delivery is becoming an important option for health systems, with 68 percent reporting that they are using telehealth to treat existing patient populations. Additionally, 62 percent of health systems are treating their own employees and covered dependents through telehealth.

"Partners HealthCare has long been committed to a patient-centric care delivery approach, and our telehealth strategy will help to improve patient access to care, and empower individuals to be more engaged with their health. Moving forward, this will be a big part of our care delivery strategy and we expect usage to increase in the future," Joseph C. Kvedar, M.D., vice president, Connected Health, Partners HealthCare, said in a statement. "This is an important step toward fully integrated care delivery, and we're pleased to be working with Teladoc Health, as we continue to improve the experience for our patients and providers alike, making healthcare more accessible, personal and efficient."