Consumers Will Be Able to Pay for Doctor Visits on Their Phones, Via Anthem

Aksa Siddiqui
Consumers Will Be Able to Pay for Doctor Visits on Their Phones, Via Anthem
https://www.wsj.com/articles/consumers-will-be-able-to-pay-for-doctor-visits-on-their-phones-via-anthem-11563793201
By Anna Wilde Mathews
Updated July 22, 2019 5:39 pm ET


It is known now in today's world that most developed countries have got their healthcare industry figured out for the most part for their citizens. Whereas the USA is still lacking in this sector. Whether it's the government, health insurers, doctors/hospitals, it always feels like the system is screwed up and everyone is just out to get your money. Though most insurances want you to believe they are "racing to roll out new digital tools that give them a deeper role in healthcare, aiming to reduce costs and improve convenience for consumers."

Anthem, Inc. is a company trying to help not just its consumers but they are broadening their horizons for everyone to enjoy their products. Their motto is: "Anthem, Inc. is working to transform health care with trusted and caring solutions." They have developed an app that will allow patients to "schedule and pay for medical visits through their smartphones, as well as learn potential diagnoses and text with doctors." Other insurance companies have incorporated other techniques to get more involved in their consumer's health. The biggest issue they run into is user-error and the patients are having a difficult time navigating through.

The process of remote access to doctors has already been created and being offered for years, through phone, messaging, and/or video but the results are varied. According to a study in the journal Health affairs through this, it was cheaper to meet in person. Humana tested a new plan that allowed patients who see their primary care doctor on the regular to get devices, like blood pressure machine to link up with the doctor, so that they can do regular visits via video. This plan is called "digital-first" and the premiums are significantly lower than the competing products. 

Anthem wants to differentiate themselves by first and foremost allowing anyone to use their products and services. They have designed the app to be user-friendly and just answer some questions about any symptoms you may be having and use AI technology to diagnose them and/or pass the information on to a physician. along with other tie in features, they will be able to provide a whole care package for its consumers.  They will first test this out in one state then move on to the rest of the states for further research.