CareFirst Launches Virtual-First Primary Care, Mental Health Benefit
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the largest nonprofit health plan in the mid-Atlantic region, has launched Virtual Connect, a $0 virtual-first primary care and mental health benefit available for all fully insured large group plans.
The new integrated benefit is offered through CloseKnit, a virtual-first primary care practice comprised of full-time, credentialled providers. It was launched in 2021 by Healthworx, the innovation and investment arm of CareFirst.
CareFirst said CloseKnit enables individuals to connect with a physician via their smartphone or device through an easy-to-use app to access primary or urgent care, behavioral and mental health resources, care coordination, care navigation and more. Forty percent of CareFirst members don't have a primary care doctor. Whether these individuals have yet to find a physician they connect with, or they can't make the operating hours of a clinic, CloseKnit helps to fill these gaps.
"We are investing in virtual care because we've listened to our members, customers and our community – flexible, affordable, comprehensive care is what they need and want," said Dave Corkum, executive vice president and chief growth officer at CareFirst, in a statement. "Consumers want to have access to care when and where they need it with the ability to chat with their primary care team 24/7/365. Virtual Connect using the CloseKnit provider practice meets that need."
"Aligning incentives to support meeting individuals, families, and small and large employer groups where they are helps us reduce gaps in equitable, affordable, accessible healthcare," shared Mary Jane Favazza, CEO of CloseKnit, in a statement. "Virtual Connect represents the convergence of employer and consumer demand and unlocks the power of value-based care. We are excited to remove an important financial barrier and look forward to how it will impact community health and the overall cost of care."