Michigan Payer Launches Telehealth Plan for Primary Care Services

A Michigan payer is the first in the state – and one of a handful in the nation – to introduce a telehealth-only plan.

Priority Health this week unveiled MyPriority Telehealth PCP, which will go into effect at the beginning of 2021. The plan assigns members a primary care provider through Doctor on Demand, and all visits are virtual unless the PCP issues a referral for an office visit, most likely for specialist care.

“There is no doubt that telehealth is here to stay,” Carrie Kincaid, vice president of individual markets for the Grand Rapids-based health plan, said in a press release. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a massive and sudden shift in the way health care is typically delivered, and many consumers used virtual care for the first time. With more and more people realizing that telehealth can be a safe and convenient option for certain types of care, we knew that now was the right time to launch this innovative plan option,” she added.

The announcement marks a trend in healthcare access brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, which reduced in-person visits to emergency issues and pushed many other services to connected health channels. With no end in sight to the emergency, providers are looking to use telehealth to make sure their patients have access to primary and wellness care, and to pull back in people who have avoided regular check-ups and other services for fear of the virus.

The plan may also prove popular with younger people who haven’t established a relationship with a primary care provider and want a virtual care service that would fit into a busy schedule.

Officials said the plan offers the same benefits as traditional plans, including coverage for preventive care and access to reduced co-pays on prescription drugs, chronic care management services, global emergency assistance and discounts on gym memberships.

“This Telehealth PCP plan acts as a primary care doctor, urgent care, behavioral health, preventive health and chronic care provider all with the convenience of being able to seek care from the comfort and safety of home,” Kincaid added. “We listened to what consumers want, and we are excited to bring this new offering into the market.”