Priority Health Extending $0 Cost Share Virtual Care and Telehealth Services for Employer Groups Into 2021

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Priority Health announced that it will continue to offer $0 cost share virtual care and telehealth services, including medical, behavioral health and substance use telemedicine, for nearly all fully funded HSA and non-HSA plans ahead of deductible, into 2021. This will now be a standard benefit for most fully funded employer-sponsored ACA plans. Self-insured groups will determine their own benefit coverage for their employees and dependents.

“COVID-19 has caused a dramatic shift in the way our members are seeking care. We’ve taken notice that more and more consumers are comfortable with, and actually prefer, the convenience of telehealth services,” said Rick V. Morrone, Senior Vice President of Employer Solutions at Priority Health. “We’re pleased to extend this offering and our team continues to innovate in order to make it easy and affordable for our members to get the care they need.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Priority Health has encouraged members to use virtual visits to mitigate further spread of the illness. While some members have begun to return to in-person visits at health care facilities, Priority Health has heard from many members that have used virtual visits for the first time during the pandemic and have appreciated the simplicity and convenience it provides. By offering $0 cost share virtual visits, Priority Health seeks to not only ensure that high-risk members have affordable access to care, but also help enable the transformation to more virtual health care services.

In addition to offering $0 cost share virtual care and telehealth services, Priority Health has supported employer groups and members during the pandemic in the following ways:

• Allowed employers to continue to offer health benefits to employee who are temporarily laid off or who have reduced hours below full-time status
• Waived member cost share for medically necessary testing and treatment of COVID-19
• Offered no-cost added benefits to members like prescription drug home delivery and the myStrength behavioral health online tool​

Priority Health has also recently announced the following telehealth offerings:

• Starting January 1, 2021, Priority Health is extending $0 virtual visits¹ for primary care, specialists, and behavioral health, for all Priority Health Medicare Advantage members.
• Priority Health has launched new MyPriority Telehealth PCP plans in the Individual market that will go into effect on January 1, 2021. The organization is the first insurer in Michigan to offer this type of virtual-first product.
• Expanded care management and health coaching interactions to include a virtual option. In addition to telephonic, email, and onsite options, care managers and health coaches can now also engage with members over virtual video visits.

To access virtual care, members can download the Priority Health app, available on the App Store or Google Play, and log in to their member account. They can also access their online member account on a desktop, laptop or other mobile device. Members can also check with their physician for virtual visit options.

Priority Health agents and account managers are available to provide more information about telehealth and virtual care services and how this coverage applies to specific plans. For more information on Priority Health, go to priorityhealth.com.

About Priority Health:
With over 30 years in business, Priority Health is the second largest health plan in Michigan offering a broad portfolio of health benefits options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Serving more than one million members each year and offering a network that includes 97 percent of primary care physicians in Michigan, Priority Health continues to be recognized as a leader for quality, customer service, transparency and product innovation. Priority Health is the smart choice for people seeking affordable, quality health coverage.

¹Excluding the Vital plan, which has 20% coinsurance for virtual visits.