Anthem Blue Cross Collaborates with Keck Medicine of USC to Offer Patients An Alexa-Enabled Enhanced Health Care Experience

Keck Medicine of USC patients can use Alexa-enabled devices to find providers and make appointments using their voice

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As a continued commitment to offer members a digital-first health care experience – where, when, and how they want it, Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem) has launched an Alexa skill for Keck Medicine of USC to allow users to find a Keck Medicine doctor or facility, ask health care questions and additional actions designed to make health care simpler.

Built by Anthem, Inc., the parent of Anthem Blue Cross, the Alexa skill for Keck Medicine is available for anyone to use, regardless of their insurance. Alex Skills are like apps that help you do more with Alexa. The application can be accessed through any Alexa-enabled device, such as Amazon Echo, Fire TV or the Alexa app on a smartphone. The skill is a 24/7 voice-activated way for members to also quickly and seamlessly navigate the Keck Medicine health care system in multiple languages.

“We know that patients – not just Anthem members – are looking for quick and easy ways to connect with their care teams,” said Anthony Nguyen MD, Chief Clinical Officer for Anthem Inc. “We’re excited we could build this tool to allow Keck Medicine patients to use Alexa-enabled devices to engage with their health care provider. These types of tools provide more access and ease for patients to engage with their care teams and make the appointments they need to live healthier lives. We are excited to build this tool for Keck Medicine, as well as for other providers across the country.”

The Alexa skill for Keck Medicine includes:

• Find a provider.
• Obtain the contact information for a provider.
• Check symptoms.
• Get tips for healthy living.
• Understand more about illnesses.

"We don’t want to just keep pace with the latest technological innovations – we want to lead them,” said TJ Malseed, Chief Health Information Officer with Keck Medicine of USC. “We know our Keck Medicine patients are increasingly living in a digitally-connected world, and it's important to meet them where they are.”

The Alexa skill for Keck Medicine will work with any Alexa-enabled device for a multitude of touchpoints throughout the home. Patients can enable the skill by visiting the "skills" section of the Alexa app, searching for "Keck Medicine" and clicking "enable," or simply saying, "Alexa, enable Keck Medicine of USC" to any Alexa-enabled device.