MDLIVE, a national leader in the rapidly growing telehealth market, today announced that Independence Blue Cross (Independence) has partnered with MDLIVE to provide telemedicine coverage to its members. This coverage option is a new way to make health care more convenient and accessible, allowing Independence members to consult with a doctor via secure video on their smartphone or other digital device for non-emergency medical conditions.

“Telemedicine is emerging as a consumer preferred channel and we’re pleased to offer our members the opportunity to take advantage of communicating more quickly and easily with their doctors through a secure video on their cell phone, iPad, or other digital device,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. “These virtual visits won’t replace the important relationships our members have with their primary care physicians, but rather expand the options for access to convenient, timely health care, which also include our network of retail health clinics and urgent care centers.”

Independence’s telemedicine coverage offers members two options for talking with physicians via a HIPAA-secure video on a cell phone, iPad, or other digital device. First members may have a telemedicine consultation with their local primary care physician (PCP) if she or he offers telemedicine consultations and second, members — depending upon the benefits offered by their employers — can take advantage of 24/7/365 access to a nationwide network of board-certified PCPs through MDLIVE, a national telemedicine vendor.

Independence members may use telemedicine through their local PCP as long as she or he offers consultations through a HIPAA-secure video and the medical issue is not an emergency. This gives a PCP the ability to talk to a patient if an in person visit isn’t convenient, and offers a more cost-effective option than seeking care at an emergency room or urgent care center. This option is available to members who are enrolled in commercial fully-insured and self-funded Keystone Health Plan East HMO or Personal Choice® PPO plans and whose PCP offers telemedicine consultations.

Independence is also offering telemedicine to select employer groups through MDLIVE’s board-certified PCPs via a HIPAA-secure video, telephone, or mobile app 24/7/365. MDLIVE’s physicians can diagnose non-emergency medical conditions, provide short-term treatment plans, and prescribe necessary medications, if needed. Through the MDLIVE web portal, members can get information on physicians, check appointment availability, and schedule an appointment with the doctor of their choice. The member may request a copy of the medical record from a telemedicine consultation to share with their PCP. This program is available only to certain members depending upon the benefits offered by their employers.

To learn more, visit www.ibx.com and www.MDLIVE.com.