CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) members in Ohio can now access Cleveland Clinic doctors and nurse practitioners via LiveHealth® Online, a telehealth solution for anyone who needs non-emergency medical care when their own doctor is not available. Consumers who do not have Anthem or other insurance can also access LiveHealth Online for only $49 per visit. LiveHealth Online is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including holidays, and is an effective option for business travelers, busy parents, students away at college or anyone else who cannot get to a doctor’s office when the need arises.
“LiveHealth Online represents a true shift in health care delivery by using technology to make health care easier to access and more consumer friendly,” said John Jesser, vice president of provider engagement strategy for Anthem. “We are delighted to have Cleveland Clinic doctors and practitioners join us to provide high quality and needed medical care to consumers using the LiveHealth Online mobile app or website.”
LiveHealth Online provides consumers with a convenient way to have live video conversations with doctors and other health care providers. Services can be accessed by logging on to www.livehealthonline.com or using a free LiveHealth Online app that can be downloaded on an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. Once logged in, users can participate in live, planned or unplanned health care visits using two-way video conferencing, along with instant messaging. Users can get a diagnosis and receive treatment for common or non-urgent care health conditions. LiveHealth Online offers a secure means of accessing health care when it is not convenient to leave work or home and go to a doctor’s office.
Cleveland Clinic doctors and nurse practitioners recently joined the pool of clinicians who are available to see patients. When consumers log in to use LiveHealth Online, they can see which Cleveland Clinic health care providers are available to see patients. Due to demand or other circumstances, a Cleveland Clinic doctor or practitioner may not be available at all times, but users can choose other board certified doctors and practitioners, or elect to wait until a Cleveland Clinic doctor or practitioner becomes available.
“In our fast-paced lives, patients are looking for options to be able to address their health care needs in a timely and cost-effective manner,” said Dr. Matt Faiman, medical director of Express Care Online at Cleveland Clinic. “In many circumstances, the alternatives are to use more costly urgent care clinics or emergency rooms. Online care is another option that can be a more convenient and efficient way for patients to access health care.”
Telehealth is a widely accepted mode of health communication, especially in rural areas where many people have to drive hours to visit a doctor. Even in urban areas, a trip to the doctor may take an hour or more, depending on traffic conditions. Online visits, for non-urgent medical conditions such as colds, aches, sore throats, allergies and infections, as well as wellness and nutrition advice, can be more convenient and affordable than a visit to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic. Patients can initiate video visits from their home or workplace at any time through a computer, smart phone or tablet. A summary of each visit is also created, and with consumers’ permission, can be forwarded to their primary care doctor – supporting continuity of care and collaboration among providers. To learn more about LiveHealth Online, visit www.livehealthonline.com.
LiveHealth Online is the trade name of Health Management Corporation. © 2016 Health Management Corporation. All rights reserved.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Ohio
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Community Insurance Company, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/askAnthem or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/askAnthem.
