HealthiestYou, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based telehealth company focused on engagement and utilization has announced the launch of “radar mapping” – a new way for consumers find the closest care facility from their mobile device.
The “radar” feature is the first app of its kind to provide a comprehensive, interactive list of all health options, such as doctors, E.R., urgent care and pharmacy locations, customized to members’ health insurance plans. It shows members the providers that are within close proximity to their current location, and displays detailed contact information, education and credentials, as well as consumer reviews.
The radar feature replaces the need for plan members to consult complicated in-network provider listings from health plan catalogs and websites, which are often cumbersome to access and time-consuming to navigate.
“Our app is changing the way people get information about their own health choices. Not only can they tap ‘connect now’ and get immediate care over the phone, but now they can find providers in their area and within their own health plans when they need a check up or have a health emergency that truly requires a visit to the E.R. or urgent care,” said Jim Prendergast, CEO, HealthiestYou. “The natural tendency when there is an emergency is to drive to a location you remember seeing whether it is in your health plan’s network or not. Our app lets people quickly see where there is a plan-covered facility and many times there is one just as close and in your network. This can save literally thousands of dollars for consumers and health plans.”
The telehealth app uses health plan information that the members provide upon registering with HealthiestYou, enabling consumers to easily find and interact with providers within their insurance plan coverage. Keeping consumers in network is a key factor to driving down health care costs.
According to FairHealthConsumer.org, consumers may be liable for up to 100% of care costs charged by out-of-network providers, depending upon the individual’s health plan coverage. Mercer, a healthcare consultant, reported in their annual survey of health plans, that the average annual deductible for individual coverage for out-of-network care was $1,084.00, representing a 27.5% increase from 2008-2011. Using out-of-network providers is often discouraged because of higher costs that are frequently disputed by consumers with their health insurer. According to the California Department of Managed Health Care, the average cost savings for a consumer who uses an in-network hospital for a stay is $10,800.
The app also features “Circles” to help users create a customized resource for easy reference of all their healthcare preferences. Based on the concept similar to Google Circles, the feature enhances interaction with, and understanding of, what resources are available and included in the plan members’ health ecosystem that they have personally selected.
In addition, a Spanish language option is now offered, making it the first app available with extensive, customizable health information for Spanish speakers.
