Events Calendar

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8:30 AM - HIMSS Europe
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e-Health 2025 Conference and Tradeshow
2025-06-01 - 2025-06-03    
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
The 2025 e-Health Conference provides an exciting opportunity to hear from your peers and engage with MEDITECH.
HIMSS Europe
2025-06-10 - 2025-06-12    
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Transforming Healthcare in Paris From June 10-12, 2025, the HIMSS European Health Conference & Exhibition will convene in Paris to bring together Europe’s foremost health [...]
38th World Congress on  Pharmacology
2025-06-23 - 2025-06-24    
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
About the Conference Conference Series cordially invites participants from around the world to attend the 38th World Congress on Pharmacology, scheduled for June 23-24, 2025 [...]
2025 Clinical Informatics Symposium
2025-06-24 - 2025-06-25    
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Virtual Event June 24th - 25th Explore the agenda for MEDITECH's 2025 Clinical Informatics Symposium. Embrace the future of healthcare at MEDITECH’s 2025 Clinical Informatics [...]
International Healthcare Medical Device Exhibition
2025-06-25 - 2025-06-27    
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Japan Health will gather over 400 innovative healthcare companies from Japan and overseas, offering a unique opportunity to experience cutting-edge solutions and connect directly with [...]
Electronic Medical Records Boot Camp
2025-06-30 - 2025-07-01    
10:30 am - 5:30 pm
The Electronic Medical Records Boot Camp is a two-day intensive boot camp of seminars and hands-on analytical sessions to provide an overview of electronic health [...]
Events on 2025-06-01
Events on 2025-06-10
HIMSS Europe
10 Jun 25
France
Events on 2025-06-23
38th World Congress on  Pharmacology
23 Jun 25
Paris, France
Events on 2025-06-24
Events on 2025-06-25
International Healthcare Medical Device Exhibition
25 Jun 25
Suminoe-Ku, Osaka 559-0034
Events on 2025-06-30

Events

Latest News

Premera Blue Cross launches virtual primary care health plan

Premera Blue Cross launches virtual primary care health plan
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Premera Blue Cross has launched its first virtual care health plan for member access to primary care providers. Washington state employers can purchase the Premera NOW plan for availability on Oct. 1. While open enrollment varies by employer, many will hold open enrollment this fall for a Jan. 1, 2021, start date. The plan is available at a lower premium than standard PPO plans.

Members may access a virtual primary care provider at any time, for a zero copay, through an app operating on 98point6. This is an on-demand, text-based primary care service platform from independent company 98point6. An automated assistant gathers information on symptoms, including photos if needed. A 98point6 board-certified physician then reviews the case and provides diagnosis and treatment privately over in-app messaging.

If necessary, the service can also make a referral for an in-person appointment with an in-network specialist. The member then receives a summary of the virtual visit.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Telehealth has become the standard of care during the coronavirus pandemic as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in March allowed for more than 80 additional services to be furnished via telehealth. Providers were able to bill at the same rate as an in-person visit during the duration of the public health emergency. Traditionally, telehealth is reimbursed at a lower rate. The announcement by Premera Blue Cross is an early look at how insurers may incorporate more telehealth benefits into their benefit design coverage for 2021.

THE LARGER TREND

Premera Blue Cross, which serves the Pacific Northwest, announced in March that it would expand telehealth services at little or no cost to its members in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It waived cost sharing for all telehealth solutions for a limited time.

ON THE RECORD

“The COVID-19 crisis has made it clear that virtual care is here to stay. By providing convenient and affordable, on-demand access to healthcare, we have an opportunity to create an experience that truly puts the customer at the center of all we do. With Premera NOW, we are making it easy to navigate the healthcare system of today and tomorrow,” said Rick Abbott, VP of product and market solutions for Premera.