Grocery Chain Launches Telehealth Platform, Prescription Delivery Service

Supermarket retailer Hy-Vee, Inc. has launched a telehealth platform that allows individuals to receive treatments and prescriptions through the mail.

The new service, RedBox Rx, offers virtual health consultations through a partnership with Reliant Immune Diagnostics’ telehealth platform MDbox.

During the visits, patients aged 18 and older can meet with a provider and receive treatment plans for men’s and women’s health issues, mental health conditions, hair and skin conditions — such as hair loss or acne — migraines, and primary care concerns.

If a provider prescribes a medication during the consultation, the company will ship the prescription directly to the patient at no cost.

“Our goal is to make it easy, convenient, and affordable to receive treatment for dozens of illnesses and health conditions,” Marshall Sanders, PharmD, president of Redbox Rx, said in the press release. “We know that more people are looking for quick, convenient, and personalized healthcare options shipped directly to their homes, and RedBox Rx does exactly that.”

Consultations may be free or range up to $39 depending on the treatment needed.

Unlike many other telehealth platforms, RedBox Rx does not accept health insurance in an attempt to keep costs low and facilitate a streamlined process for users. According to the company, the consultation fees are normally less expensive than health plan copays would be.

Users are able to use their health savings account (HSA) or flexible savings account (FSA) card to cover the costs of the telehealth visit and prescriptions, the company said.

Employers can also offer the telehealth service to their employees as a complementary or alternative option for healthcare access, the press release noted.

With the launch of this service, Hy-Vee joins the current trend of retailers investing in telehealth and remote patient monitoring technologies.

Consumer electronics retail giant Best Buy recently shelled out $400 million to acquire a remote patient monitoring platform, Current Health. In the past, the retailer also launched its own RPM service for seniors and acquired two connected health companies.

Additionally, the company has said that virtual care is a key component of their healthcare strategy but noted that it will take time and investment to fully develop future virtual offerings.

Amazon has also joined the virtual care world with its launch of Amazon Care. Users can visit with a virtual care team member around the clock through an mHealth application. Patients in select locations can receive prescription deliveries as well, according to the company.

In addition, CVS’ Minute Clinic offers a telehealth option for urgent care services and Walmart Health acquired telehealth provider MeMD in May, increasing access to virtual care for their consumer populations.