Cigna is rolling out a new E-Treatment program for its members in partnership with its MDLIVE unit.
Beginning this month, Cigna members can quickly connect for urgent care from board-certified doctors without the need for phone or video calls. They can connect to MDLIVE's portal and submit a virtual clinical interview and typically receive a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan within an hour.
The program is designed to assist in a convenient way with many common, low-risk needs like allergies, ear infections, urinary tract infections and respiratory conditions like the flu, Cigna said.
"Our customers lead busy lives, and getting care shouldn't be put on the backburner," said Heather Dlugolenski, U.S. employer strategy officer at Cigna Healthcare, in the press release. "By offering customers multiple ways to conveniently connect with board-certified clinicians, they can be more effective with their time and continue putting their health and vitality first."
Cigna said the program is available to people enrolled in employer plans as well as those with Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, though it is not accessible in certain states: Kansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Once someone logs into their member portal, they can click the option to "talk to a doctor" to connect with E-Treatment. The virtual interview generally takes between eight and 10 minutes, and the submission is then reviewed by MDLIVE doctors.
When their treatment plan is ready, the patient receives a text message or email to view the summary, and any prescriptions are then sent to their preferred pharmacy.
Should the physician determine that a higher level of care is needed, they will then be able to connect with that doctor via a video visit or be referred to in-person care, Cigna said.
The E-Treatment program is powered by MDLIVE's acquisition of Bright.md's platform and technology, according to the announcement. The deal was first announced last October at the HLTH conference.
"Patients and doctors alike recognize that some conditions shouldn't require patients to wait to speak with a doctor to begin having their illness assessed," said Eric Weil, M.D., chief medical officer at MDLIVE, in the release. "We want to offer multiple options in the way that patients access care, and our clients are demanding that. While not a substitute for seeing a provider in person for more serious conditions, E-Treatment enables choice and flexibility for patients."
"It also frees up clinicians to practice at the top of their license by spending time with patients when direct interaction is really needed," he said.