Humana, Doctor on Demand Launch Virtual Primary Care Health Plan

Health insurer Humana and telehealth company Doctor On Demand are partnering to launch a health plan designed around virtual primary care.

The health plan, called On Hand, “represents a paradigm shift in healthcare where patients will have access to comprehensive, quality care from doctors without having to visit a doctor’s office, available at significantly lower monthly premiums,” officials said in an announcement.

Employers and members who elect On Hand as their primary care plan will gain access to a multitude of in-network virtual care services, as well as an expanded clinical care team to help navigate the healthcare system, officials attest.

And patients will have one dedicated primary care physician and access to preventive care, urgent care and behavioral health all through video visits. If needed, patients can receive doctor or specialist referrals for in-person visits that stay within Humana’s network, they add.

Officials say On Hand costs significantly less than the average standard plan today. There is a $0 copay for doctor visits using Doctor On Demand and a $5 copay for common labs and prescriptions.

Currently, through Doctor on Demand’s mobile application and website, consumers can get access to care in all 50 states with an average wait time of five minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to company officials.

The collaboration is another sign that interest in telehealth is continuing to increase. A recent survey from another telehealth company, American Well, revealed that a total of 22 percent of physicians said they have used telehealth to see patients, up 340 percent from 2015 when only 5 percent of physicians reported having ever used telehealth. Moreover, a total of 69 percent of physicians said they would be willing to use telehealth, up 12 percentage points, from 57 percent in 2015.

“By offering full mind and body care through our expanded clinical care team and fully-integrated technology platform, we’re putting the patient first and introducing continuity of care not previously available through virtual care solutions,” Hill Ferguson, CEO of Doctor On Demand, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to partner with Humana to offer this new health plan, one that improves access to high-quality care while reducing overall healthcare costs to the consumer and the health plan alike.”