Digital assistants are part of the insurer’s plan to grow its preventative program enrolments to 50,000 customers by FY25.
Medibank’s Amplar Health has signed a deal with US healthcare tech Amwell to support delivery of digital prevention programs for Australians at risk of chronic disease.
Amplar Health’s group leader Robert Read said the deal, the financial details of which are yet to hit the light of day, has the potential to save the Australian healthcare system billions.
“Virtual solutions that allow individuals to set personal health goals, make positive lifestyle changes and sustain those changes over time are crucial to the sustainability of the broader health system,” said Mr Read.
“Hospital admissions arising from preventable disease continue to climb, putting hospitals under pressure and risking poor outcomes for patients. We need to be smarter about healthcare delivery and embrace technology to enable widespread access to preventative programs across our communities.”
Medibank customers will be the first to benefit from prevention programs using the Amwell technology, with the anticipated launch to Medibank customers of a new pilot lifestyle management program, designed to promote wellness and prevent chronic disease, said the company announcement.
Following a health check with an Amplar Health RN, eligible Medibank customers will be referred to the program.
“Customers will be supported by a digital assistant, and where needed, a health coach, to ensure they achieve the best outcomes from the program,” said Mr Read.
“Amplar Health medical professionals are configuring the programs with the Amwell clinical team, ensuring programs are designed to be clinically safe and effective for Australian patients.”
Medibank customers with the following risk factors for chronic disease will be eligible for the program:
- Currently smoking and/or vaping
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Physical inactivity
- Poor diet
- Weight and/or waist measurement outside the healthy range
Mr Read called on other healthcare funders to follow Medibank’s lead.
“Work with us to reduce the cost of preventable disease,” he said.
“Funding of healthcare in this country has necessarily been focused on delivering care for the sick, but there is a great opportunity to invest in preventing illness in the first place.
“Virtual healthcare will be an essential component of the future Australian health system. Our work with Amwell is a reflection of our commitment to improve access to care and deliver support to patients when and how they need it,” he said.
Amwell has a current market value of US$361 million ($552m). Amwell chief strategy officer Murray Brozinsky said the company’s automated and digital care technologies had been launched successfully in the US and UK.
Mr Brozinsky said it had a 93% patient satisfaction rate among almost 700,000 people who have used the technology through NHS mental health programs.
Additionally, Amwell’s online behavioural health program, SilverCloud, has a 94% patient satisfaction rate among the more than 12,000 people in Ireland who have used the program for mental health care and support, he said.