A new UnitedHealthcare app is enabling millions of Americans who are covered in the insurer’s employer-sponsored health plans to have 24/7 access to certain on-demand telemedicine services.
UnitedHealthcare, the largest private payer in the U.S., has made the app available for download at no additional charge for Android and Apple devices to more than 27 million people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare health benefit plans, though additional out-of-pocket costs may be required for telemedicine services depending on the plan and any applicable state requirements. People enrolled in most UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored plans have coverage for the virtual physician visits.
The new app will over time replace the existing Health4Me app for UnitedHealthcare plan participants, according to officials.
According to the health insurer’s officials, the app provides health information for people on the go, offering plan participants a single source aimed to help maintain and improve their well-being, access care and make the most of their health benefits.
Eligible plan participants can now use the app to directly schedule and conduct a virtual visit with a doctor, helping eliminate the need for multiple sign-ins or to download a separate app.
Officials noted that virtual visits typically last about 20 minutes, and doctors can diagnose a range of nonemergency medical conditions, including allergies, flu, colds, pinkeye, fevers and rashes. If needed, doctors can prescribe medications and send prescriptions to local pharmacies for pickup.
They further contended that more virtual care solutions is a top priority for many employers, noting that 51 percent of companies are planning to do so, according to a 2019 study by the National Business Group on Health. The expansion is especially important for people with chronic conditions and the 20 percent of the U.S. population that lives in rural areas where access to health care, particularly specialty care, is often lacking.
The UnitedHealthcare app also enables people to: access their health plan ID card on their smartphone, and email it directly from the mobile device to the plan participant’s physician office or hospital; review and manage prescription medications; comparison shop for care based on quality and cost, including the ability to review information for approximately 800 medical services; and more.
“Digital health resources are fundamentally changing how people navigate the health system, making it possible to access care from anywhere at any time and helping remove barriers to care,” said Anne Docimo, M.D., UnitedHealthcare chief medical officer. “The new app is part of UnitedHealth Group’s more than $3 billion annual investment in data, technology and innovation, helping build a health system that is more intuitive, affordable and convenient.”
