Anthem Announces Virtual-First Health Plan in MO for Commercial Members

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri (Anthem) has introduced a virtual-first health plan to facilitate access to affordable virtual care for commercial plan members.

“These Virtual-First plans are part of our ongoing efforts to introduce innovative services to members that provide convenient healthcare on their terms through a range of options including virtual care, such as video visits with providers, and in-person care – making healthcare more convenient,” Stephanie Vojicic, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri, said in the announcement.

The virtual-first health plan will be available for members of select commercial health plans. It will offer access to a virtual symptom checker, routine wellness care, chronic condition management, and behavioral healthcare services, according to the payer.

The offering aims to boost interoperability, as virtual-first health plans can access data from various visits and providers through the digital health platform. This will streamline data exchange between virtual-first providers, in-person providers, and specialists, improving both patient and provider experiences.

The virtual-first health plans will offer several cost-sharing options to boost access to affordable, quality care, including no co-insurance for virtual care. Members can also visit in-person physicians and specialists in Anthem’s provider network.

Members can access benefits, cost transparency tools, and resources from their virtual-first health plan through the Sydney Health app.

“Virtual-First plans make it easier to fit healthcare services into members’ increasingly busy schedules and align with the more consumer-centric experiences people have in other areas of their lives,” Vojicic said. “Serving as a lifetime trusted health partner, Anthem designed these plans to help Missourians take charge of their health, improve access, and offer an integrated approach to care through a more seamless, member-focused digital experience.”

Eligible members enrolled in Anthem’s large group administrative services (ASO) plans will have access to the virtual-first health plans starting July 2023. The plans will be available to national account ASO members on January 1, 2024, according to the payer.

In addition to Missouri, the payer is rolling out the virtual-first health plan in New York, Georgia, and California.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for virtual care as in-person contact was discouraged in 2020. Even as pandemic regulations have relaxed, telehealth remains popular among Americans.

For example, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 37 percent of adults continued to use telehealth in 2021.

Payers began prioritizing virtual care as its popularity grew. UnitedHealth Group launched a virtual-first plan in October 2021 to help integrate in-person and virtual care. Similarly, Trustmark Health Benefits partnered with Teladoc in November 2021 to offer a virtual-first health plan.

4/7/23 This article has been updated to include that Anthem is rolling out the virtual-first health plan in three additional states.