Will health apps save payors money?

June 14, 2011

09:58 am

BCBSFL App Some of the largest health insurers are increasing their mobile healthcare presence with patient-focused smartphone applications, reports AmedNews, with apps for physicians soon to follow.

The mobile offerings provide a strong customer service tool, strengthen the physician/patient relationship, and save costs, according to insurers. Among the companies with currently available mobile offerings are Humana, UnitedHealthCare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The applications' features include: looking up claims history, researching drug prices, displaying an electronic medical ID card, viewing health savings account info, and access to a GPS-integrated physician network directory. Some, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield Florida's offerings, allow users to buy coverage straight from the application.

(I wonder if these apps, which provide patients and soon physicians with billing information and insurance coverage details right at their fingertips, will change the way patients and physicians spend healthcare dollars.)

The upcoming physician-focused apps will be fulfilling a real demand for mobile assistance, as 81 percent of physicians now report that they use a smartphone, according to Manhattan Research's latest survey.

"In an ideal world, the member/patient experience would be completely integrated, with no difference between provider practice and health insurance company, unless they were important to the experience. We would function as one entity," Mark Brooks, CTO for Health Net told AmedNews. These apps allow physicians to consult with their patients outside of the office. "The feedback we're getting from physicians is, 'Keep going," Brooks said.

Terrell Edwards, president and CEO of PerfectServe, reiterated concerns voiced from others in the industry that these apps need to increase efficiency and demonstrate workflow optimization.

"If it's just a nifty little thing, a 'this is sort of cool' -type thing, it won't go anywhere." Edwards told AmedNews.

Adriana Murillo, Blue Cross Blue Shield's director for strategic development, mentioned future technology like reporting blood glucose levels from smartphones via Bluetooth, which MobiHealthNews recently highlighted in a slideshow.

Check out the original article from AmedNews.com here.

Some of the largest health insurers are increasing their mobile healthcare presence with patient-focused smartphone applications, reports amednews.com, with apps for physicians soon to follow.

The mobile offerings provide a strong customer service tool, strengthen the physician/patient relationship, and save costs, according to insurers. Among the companies with currently available mobile offerings are Humana, UnitedHealthCare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The applications features include: looking up ones claims history, researching drug prices, displaying an electronic medical ID card, viewing your health savings account, and a GPS-integrated physician network directory. Some, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield Florida's offerings, allow users to buy coverage straight from the application.

The upcoming physician-focused apps will be fulfilling a real demand for mobile assistance, as 81% of physicians now report that they use a smartphone. "In an ideal world, the member/patient experience would be completely integrated, with no difference between provider practice and health insurance company, unless they were important to the experience. We would function as one entity," said Mark Brooks, CTO for Health Net. These apps allow physicians to consult with their patients outside of the office. "The feedback we're getting from physicians is, 'Keep going," Brooks said.

Terrell Edwards, president and CEO of PerfectServe, reiterated concerns voiced from others in the industry that the mobile applications must provide real efficiency and workflow optimization. "It comes down to whether this is the kind of application that's going to save a doctor time," Edwards said. "If yes, then it's worth taking it to the next step. It it's just a nifty little thing, a 'this is sort of cool' -type thing, it won't go anywhere." Edwards also stressed the need for secure transmission of medical records over wireless networks.

Adriana Murillo, Blue Cross Blue Shield's director for strategic development, mentioned future technology like reporting blood glucose levels from smartphones via Bluetooth, which mobihealthnews recently highlighted in a slideshow.

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