Concierge medicine — what we used to call a doctor’s house call — comes at a steep premium, but Northern Arizona Healthcare has developed an easier way for patients to consult a doctor at home.
NAH has partnered with American Well, one of the nation’s first developers of telehealth apps for tablets and smartphones, to offer board-certified doctor access to patients through the BeWellNow app. Patients suffering from minor medical conditions link to providers via a secure, live-video feed. For a flat rate of $49, patients are allowed one 20-minute consultation with a doctor of their choice.
The setup is simple, according to NAH Director of Telehealth Gigi Sorenson. Patients register with the app, providing contact, medical and insurance information. Access to a variety of state-board-certified doctors is then at their fingertips. Using the BeWellNow app allows patients can stay at home or at work, saving time and fuel costs by accessing doctors directly — not to mention avoiding the risk of exposing themselves or others to illness.
BeWellNow physicians are available at any hour to provide care, prescribe non-narcotic prescriptions as needed, make referrals for specialty care and provide follow-up recommendations. Location-detection software allows the doctor to send writs directly to a patient’s chosen pharmacy. At that point, the process of determining insurance eligibility to purchase prescription
automatically kicks in.
“Telemedicine is a way to improve access to care, especially when dealing with millennials,” Sorenson said, adding that other traditionally under-served or otherwise marginalized populations will also benefit from increased access. Rural and elderly patients local to the Verde Valley, specifically, may access care without timely or costly travel.
Moreover, Sorenson added, the flat $49 fee is minimal compared to an urgent care or emergency room visit. Even for those with insurance, the fee may be less than a standard office-visit deductible. Ultimately, Sorenson said, the process helps drive down the overall cost of healthcare by providing a more economically sustainable model of access.
“Communities across the country, including ours, face shortages of primary care providers, which can make seeing your physician difficult when you are sick,” NAH President and CEO Robert Thames said. “The intent behind BeWellNow is to offer people another option when they need care quickly and their provider isn’t available.”
Sorenson recounted her use of the app while traveling. Suffering from a possible strep infection, she consulted with a doctor. Part of the process included using her own senses — fingertips, in this case — to determine if her glands were swollen. At one point, the doctor had Sorenson use her phone’s flashlight to peer down her throat, allowing for a diagnosis and a note to Sorenson’s airline alerting them of her illness.
“We are so pleased to partner with NAH, an organization that prides itself on patient experience,” stated Danielle Russella, president of client solutions for American Well. “By delivering care in a more modern and convenient way, they will foster greater satisfaction, and continue to improve the patient experience. Together we can make an even greater impact on the communities and families that have placed their trust in NAH.”
BeWellNow can be downloaded to iOS or Android systems by searching “BeWellNow” or accessing nahealth.com/bewellnow.
