Virtual Health Overview

Highmark has offered virtual health services for many years, but the COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for many of its members to try virtual health for the first time. The benefits of providing both members and providers with the efficiency and safety of virtual health are here to stay.

Virtual health services mean the use of synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology by a health care practitioner to provide health care services, including, but not limited to:

• Assessment
• Diagnosis
• Consultation
• Treatment and monitoring of a patient
• Transfer of medical data
• Patient and services

Virtual care can complement a physician’s practice by:

• Improving patient outcomes
  
• Increasing access to health care while providing scheduling flexibility and increased productivity
• Reducing patient/office staff/clinician exposure to pathogens
• Cutting down on hospital readmissions
• Boosting patient engagement and satisfaction

Highmark differentiates between telemedicine and virtual visits. Telemedicine is services provided by Highmark-approved telemedicine vendors. Virtual visits are services provided by Highmark in-network providers within the scope of their license, deemed appropriate using their medical judgment, and delivered within the definition of the code billed. In-network providers do not need to utilize telemedicine vendor services to provide virtual services to Highmark members. These vendors are a separate option and benefit to certain members.

Find out more about virtual visits here: Telemedicine and Virtual Visits

With Well360 Virtual Dermatology Clinic, patients can share skin, hair, and nail concerns with one of more than 160 certified dermatologists. Patients can get treatment and prescriptions for chronic conditions and new diagnoses, or schedule follow-ups with a dermatologist (up to 30 days from initial appointment).

Well360 Virtual Dermatology Clinic

Well360 Virtual Urgent Care provides 24/7 on-demand urgent care. Patients can get care for chronic and acute conditions, avoiding costly emergency department, urgent care and inpatient utilization.

Well360 Virtual Urgent Care

Well360 Virtual Women’s Health clinic offers acute care for women’s health issues with a licensed obstetrician/gynecologist. Patients receive medical care as well as counseling during and after pregnancy with lactation concerns.

Well360 Virtual Women's Health Clinic