Fully insured members now have virtual health: Care – anytime, anywhere.

As of July 1, 2019, fully insured Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health Advantage members* (whether covered under individual or group policies) have access to medical help – via smartphone or computer – in those times when it’s difficult for them to go see a doctor in person.

This new virtual health service gives members the peace of mind of knowing that even at 2 a.m. or in a hotel room five states from home (or perhaps both), expert medical care is at their fingertips – delivered by state-licensed, board-certified physicians, including pediatricians.

Members simply go to MyVirtualHealth.com and follow the step-by-step instructions to establish an MDLIVE account through the My Blueprint member portal.

Is virtual health easy to use?

Members who use FaceTime, Skype, etc. to chat with family and friends are already familiar with this kind of technology. And even if they are not familiar with video chats, the system is very user-friendly, even for beginners.

Virtual health (powered by MDLIVE):

• Lets members (and anyone covered under their health plans) see a physician after hours or away from home.
• Boasts an average wait time of less than 10 minutes.
• Features 24/7 availability of primary care physicians.

Virtual health visits are treated the same as a visit with a primary care physician. Normal copayments, coinsurance and deductibles apply.

What can virtual health be used for?

Virtual health is intended for nonemergency conditions members normally would see a primary care doctor to assess and treat. Of course, if members have a broken bone, excessive bleeding, dangerously high fever, a bad burn, symptoms of heart attack or stroke, etc., they should get to the nearest emergency room (ER) as soon as possible. A list of eligible conditions is available at MyVirtualHealth.com.

We are telling members about the new virtual health service in several ways. We have an article in the summer issue of Blue & You magazine, which will be mailed to about 400,000 Arkansas households next week. We are starting a series of emails to individual members this week. A similar email campaign to group members will follow soon after. We will begin promoting it through social media the last week of July. And you may already be seeing the MyVirtualHealth.com web address printed on new member ID cards.

Also, here’s a link to an employee/member-focused flyer about the new virtual health service that you can share with your clients and prospects. (https://news.arkansasbluecross.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/8438-virtual-health-flyer-employee.pdf).

And here’s a link to a version for group-administrators, if you should have a need for it. (https://news.arkansasbluecross.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/8438-virtual-health-flyer-employee-1.pdf).

If you have any questions about virtual health, please contact your designated Arkansas Blue Cross sales or service rep.

* Note: Virtual health is for members with medical coverage. Virtual health is not available to members who have limited-duration or Medicare plans.