The National Basketball Players Association tapped Teladoc Health as the union's preferred virtual primary care provider in a new multi-year deal.
The partnership gives current and retired National Basketball Association (NBA) players and their families preferred access to Teladoc’s virtual care services, including 24/7 urgent care, primary care, mental health, nutrition, dermatology, expert medical services, and health screenings.
Ethan Berke, M.D., Teladoc Health chief medical officer and senior vice president of integrated care, told Fierce Healthcare in a statement that the partnership is "about delivering an integrated care experience that follows players and their families wherever life takes them."
"The needs of professional athletes highlight a broader truth about healthcare today, that people aren't living, working, and receiving care in just one place anymore," Berke said. "People need care that is connected, coordinated, and available where they are. Virtual care has the power to make healthcare more accessible, continuous and personalized to help people stay connected to the care they need, no matter where they are."
The partnership also includes VirtualCheckup, Teladoc Health’s clinician-led and preventive experience combining blood work and key health measures with health history reviews, depression and anxiety screenings, risk assessments and personalized guidance.
“Through our partnership with Teladoc Health, we ensure our players and their families have uninterrupted, high-quality medical support no matter where the game takes them,” said Matteo Zuretti, NBPA chief player experience officer, in a statement. “Their dedication to seamless continuity of care, paired with access to premier services, makes them an ideal partner.”
The two organizations will host a preventive health screening for NBPA members at Summer League in Las Vegas, according to the July 8 announcement. The NBPA currently has about 450 members.
Brian Serfass, Teladoc Health chief marketing officer of U.S. Group Health, said in a statement, “Healthcare should fit seamlessly into people’s lives,” including professional athletes and their families.
“With demanding schedules, frequent travel, relocations, and extended time away from home, professional sports families need care that is flexible, reliable and available,” Serfass said. “We’re proud to partner with the NBPA to help players and their families connect to consistent, personalized care. It’s a meaningful step in our ongoing commitment to meet people where they are, making care more connected and convenient to their everyday lives.”
More than 100 million people have access to the company’s services, which also works with more than 100 U.S. health plans.
In late May, Teladoc announced a new partnership with Walmart to offer services through the retailer’s Better Care Services platform. Walmart customers can access the company’s virtual clinic practice for a cash-pay price of $89 per visit.
It also recently inked a partnership with Instacart to offer cardiometabolic programs directly within the application’s grocery access.