Collaboration to Provide Access to Virtual LGBTQ+ Care in New England

Through a partnership with Point32Health, Included Health aims to provide virtual LGBTQ+ care services to patients in Massachusetts, including health benefits support, telehealth, and patient navigation.

Included Health focuses on the delivery of integrated virtual care and patient navigation to LGBTQ+ individuals. Acquired by Grand Rounds Health and Doctor On Demand in 2021, the company aims to improve health access and outcomes for the marginalized community.

Per the new partnership, Point32Health health plan members will gain access to the company's virtual care services.

Comprised of Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, among others, Point32Health provides healthcare coverage in the New England area. 

Often, members of the LGBTQ community face discrimination within healthcare settings, leading to poor care outcomes or the absence of treatment, the press release noted. To address these issues, Included Health will work with Point32Health to provide beneficiaries with access to its LGBTQ+ Health services, which include primary care, patient navigation, specialty care, and behavioral healthcare.

“Research has shown that 40 percent of LGBTQ+ individuals have been discriminated against in a healthcare setting, a crippling reality that too often results in care postponement or avoidance,” said Colin Quinn, president of communities at Included Health, in a press release. “We are thrilled to collaborate with an innovative health plan who shares our commitment to whole-person care for everyone. Together, we can engage and build trust with a community that faces barriers to great, personalized healthcare. Whether you are seeking an affirming provider, or you have questions regarding your medications, our highly specialized team gives anyone enrolled in the plan a single point of entry for all healthcare needs. We are here to ensure that all of our members feel safe, understood, and supported.”

Through Included Health's services, health plan members will have access to a team led by LGBTQ+ care coordinators. These professionals will direct them to the level of care they need, along with additional beneficial resources, like relevant social support groups.  

Also, as of Jan. 1, 2023, fully insured commercial members of Tufts Health Plan have access to the virtual care services. Fully insured commercial Harvard Pilgrim Health Care members will be able to access the services later this year.

“Our work with Included Health reaffirms our commitment to supporting the care needs of our health plan members within the LGBTQ+ community,” said Peter Bell, director of commercial strategy & innovation at Point32Health, in the press release. “We are excited to collaborate with the leading innovators in LGBTQ+ care navigation and access to offer best-in-class services in a way that is fully supportive of and attuned to our members’ unique preferences and care navigation needs.” 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth use among underserved populations, including LGBQA+ individuals, grew.

Research published in May 2022 by Rock Health, which evaluated consumer adoption of digital health in 2021, shows that Medicaid members and LGBQA+ individuals used live video telemedicine and wearables at higher rates than their counterparts.

In addition, 61 percent of transgender respondents said they were more satisfied with their live video telemedicine interactions compared to a previous in-person visit. But discrimination against people in the LGBQA+ community is still rampant, with 85 percent of transgender people saying they postponed their medical needs in 2021 due to a fear of discrimination.