Optum Perks eyeing Rx costs with telehealth solution
Patients will be able to address care needs such as birth control, cold or flu medication and refills without a video chat.
Photo: Kilito Chan/Getty Images
Prescription provider Optum Perks is launching a new telehealth solution offering low-cost care and prescription treatments for hundreds of conditions ranging from acne, to a cough, to high blood pressure.
The offering is meant to address the cost burden of prescription medications for consumers. It promises users affordable, on-demand care at any time and from anywhere for $25.
Available 100% online, patients will be able to address care needs such as birth control, cold or flu medication, refills for existing medications and more without any scheduling or video chat required.
Optum Perks is a part of RVO Health, which is backed by Red Ventures and UnitedHealth Group's Optum.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
Optum Perks president Ken Malley said the offering is part of the company's push to offer low-cost prescriptions regardless of insurance status.
"All Americans deserve access to affordable healthcare," said Malley. "Optum Perks online care combined with the Optum Perks discount card allows patients who might have skipped important medications or gone without a diagnosis to save money with an accessible alternative."
The company claims anyone can receive treatment plans in 15 minutes or less and choose where they get their prescriptions filled – either at a retail pharmacy or sent to their home.
Patients will be prompted to fill out a brief questionnaire about their symptoms that will be sent to a board-certified provider who will review and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. Consumers will also be able to use an Optum Perks discount card to ensure the lowest price on any prescribed medication.
Optum Perks partners with 65,000 pharmacies across the country. The company said it has saved consumers more than $2.4 billion in prescription costs.
THE LARGER TREND
Optum Perks is a separate entity from Optum Rx, which this month debuted a new weight-management and wellness-support program called Weight Engage, which is designed to support employers, health plans and consumers with a comprehensive approach to drive better health outcomes and manage coverages.
This entails improving overall affordability – including that of weight loss medications – which, for some classes, drug-manufacturer pricing now exceeds $10,000 per year, said Optum.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.
