Cigna launching E-Treatment virtual care through MDLIVE

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Cigna Healthcare, the health benefits division of The Cigna Group, has launched an E-Treatment option through MDLIVE by Evernorth

Beginning this month, Cigna members can connect for urgent care from board-certified doctors without any direct interaction via phone or video. 

For many common, lower-risk conditions, such as allergies, eye or ear infections, urinary tract infections, and some respiratory illnesses like the flu, customers can submit a virtual clinical interview through the MDLIVE portal, and typically within one hour, they will receive their diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.

"Our customers lead busy lives, and getting care shouldn't be put on the backburner," said Heather Dlugolenski, U.S. employer strategy officer, Cigna Healthcare. "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."

WHAT'S THE IMPACT

Through myCigna.com, customers click "Talk to a Doctor" to get started with MDLIVE's virtual urgent E-Treatment option.

The virtual clinical interview typically takes 8-10 minutes to complete. Once submitted, MDLIVE board-certified doctors review the information and share back a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Customers are notified through a text or email when their visit summary is ready, and any needed prescriptions are sent to the customer's preferred pharmacy. If a higher level of care is needed, a customer's care can be escalated to a video visit with the same doctor or to in-person care.

Internal data shows 99% of patients are happy with their experience, with 34% using MDLIVE virtual care for the first time.

E-Treatment, which is powered by MDLIVE's acquisition of the platform Bright.md, is now available to customers who have Cigna Healthcare insurance through the Affordable Care Act individual marketplace or their employer, many of whom have access to the service with a $0 co-pay. Many Cigna Healthcare customers also have access to virtual urgent care, primary care, behavioral (therapy and psychology) and dermatology.

E-Treatment is available in U.S. states except Kansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

THE LARGER TREND

Earlier this year, Cigna said it was selling its Medicare Advantage, Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D and CareAllies businesses to Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) for about $3.7 billion.

As part of the transaction, the Cigna Group and HCSC have agreed to enter into a four-year services agreement under which Evernorth Health Services, a subsidiary of Cigna, will continue to provide pharmacy benefit services to the Medicare businesses when the transaction closes in the first quarter of 2025.

Exploring the sale of its Medicare Advantage business is one of the reasons Cigna had sought to merge with Humana – a merger that was called off in December.

A combination would have created a company with a value exceeding $140 billion, based on their market values.

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.