New York insurer agrees to pay for e-visits

Over the last year or two, we've been gradually tracking the changing role of e-visits with physicians from fringe idea to reality. In recent times, the idea has become increasingly popular with insurers, who are beginning to reimburse physicians for online visits with patients.

This week, another health plan joined the club of insurers willing to pay for this form of care. Schenectady, NY-based MVP Health Care has partnered with Mohawk Valley Medical Associates to offer doctors immediate reimbursement (and subsidies) to pay for expenses they incur using RelayHealth's webVisit technology platform. The deal will involve more than 22,000 physicians.

MVP plans to begin by recruiting 200 doctors from the Mohawk Valley IPA to use the service. Members of MVP will be able to use webVisit for online evaluations of non-urgent problems such as sinus or back pain, the company said.

To learn more about this deal:
- read this RelayHealth press release

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