JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) is introducing leading edge, Internet-based medicine to Florida. BCBSF, the state’s largest health insurer, is introducing a plan to reimburse physicians for online medical consultations with established patients seeking non-urgent care. This will provide BCBSF members with a new way to access their physicians and the ability to exchange information with their physician.
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BCBSF has an agreement with California-based RelayHealth to provide a web platform that includes secure software and Web sites for online doctor-patient communications, including the webVisit(R) -- a clinically structured online process for non-urgent care. Patients will pay the same out of pocket amounts that they would pay for a face-to-face office visit under their current benefit plans -- but enjoy the convenience of accessing care from their own doctor -- securely -- online.
“We believe that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has a unique role in advancing the health and well being of Florida’s residents,” said Robert Forster, M.D., vice president, Health Care Services, and chief medical officer. “Through RelayHealth, we now offer physicians and their patients a safe and confidential way to communicate about non-urgent health care needs. It’s as easy to use as e-mail, clinically structured for the doctor, and incorporates strong security measures that help ensure the member’s privacy.”
Using RelayHealth, BCBSF members will be able to access their own doctors online to:
* Consult with their doctors on non-urgent health matters or symptoms * Receive normal lab results * Prescription requests, renewals and refills * Schedule appointments with their doctor * Request referrals
Members can benefit from greater access to their physicians, and they can communicate with their doctors when it is most convenient for them. Physicians can benefit from increased productivity, expediting prescription requests and sharing lab results, and increasing patient satisfaction.
Independent research conducted on doctors and patients using the RelayHealth platform has shown high levels of patient satisfaction, improved medical practice productivity, and more efficient use of healthcare services.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) is a leader in Florida’s health industry. BCBSF and its subsidiaries serve more than 6.5 million Floridians. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the company has been dedicated since 1944 to meeting the diverse needs of all those it serves by offering an array of choices. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information concerning BCBSF, please see its Web site at http://www.bcbsfl.com/.
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CONTACT: Mark S. Wright of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida,+1-904-905-6935, or cell phone +1-904-233-3481
Web site: http://www.bcbsfl.com/