UnitedHealth's upgrades to its Health4Me app may be a sign that payers are recognizing that apps can be more than just a handy-dandy tool to find the nearest in-network healthcare provider.
The Minnesota-based health network recently added four new functions to its app, which was used by about 700,000 of a potential 20 million eligible members in 2014. The app now allows integration with wearables and other fitness trackers; features videos from its UHC.TV wellness network; enables users to manage claims and understand medical expenses for tax reporting; and allows for mobile payments via credit or debit card, bank account or HSA.
“Health4Me helps consumers conveniently and easily manage their healthcare finances, and make more informed choices, while at home or on the go,” Yasmine Winkler, UnitedHealthcare’s chief marketing and product officer, said in a press release. “By enabling consumers to more easily monitor, manage and understand their healthcare expenses any time and any place, we are helping people take charge of their health and make more informed decisions regarding their care.”
Company officials have said the app has been downloaded more than 1 million times, enabling users to locate nearby healthcare providers and convenient care, urgent care and emergency care facilities as well as review costs of more than 750 medical services. UnitedHealth expanded its platform to non-members when it introduced the healthcare pricing tool last July.
The payment feature is being integrated with InstaMed, an online healthcare payments network company that has been handling UnitedHealthcare's online service through the myuhc.com portal. The myClaims Manager service will also allow users to compare their costs incurred against their HSA balance.
Company officials said they're the only health plan to offer mobile payments that are integrated with a member's claims and benefits data.
In an interview with MedCity News, Craig Hankins, the company's vice president for consumer engagement products, said UnitedHealth will analyze user interest in the new features before deciding whether to add more features – or even how to use the information that the new features generate.
Hankins pointed out that the insurer wants to see how its members use fitness trackers and other wearables before deciding how to take advantage of the data generated and stored.
