Highmark Enhances Access to Pelvic Health with New Virtual Care Program
Highmark Health has made a significant advancement in virtual healthcare by launching its new Virtual Pelvic Health service, which is powered by Sword Health. This initiative aims to address the pressing health needs of women grappling with various pelvic health issues, including bladder problems, chronic pelvic pain, and disorders related to intimacy well-being, factors that can affect many women at different stages of life, such as during pregnancy, post-partum, and menopause.
Recognizing that nearly one in three women are affected by such conditions, Highmark has integrated this service into their existing health management platforms for eligible members. The revolution lies in the accessibility of care; members can conveniently access this service via the My Highmark app or through a web-based portal at no additional cost. Upon enrollment, participants are matched with specialized pelvic health professionals who guide them through personalized exercises tailored to their individual needs.
Each enrolled member receives an FDA-listed insertable device designed to track their pelvic floor muscles' performance through metrics such as force, endurance, and accuracy. The combination of the sensor and mobile application ensures that users receive immediate feedback on their exercises and can monitor their progress over time. Additionally, the app serves as a hub for educational resources aimed at fostering behavior change and establishing healthy habits.
Karen Hanlon, Highmark Health's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the organization’s commitment to improving health experiences for their members through initiatives that are both discreet and easily accessible. By removing the stigma associated with pelvic health conditions, women can now strengthen their pelvic health in the comfort of their own homes.
This new offering complements Highmark's existing Virtual Joint Health program, which has already demonstrated successful outcomes for thousands of members. Since its initial rollout in 2022, Virtual Joint Health has shown remarkable efficacy in reducing the necessity for frequent provider visits and minimizing associated costs for patient care. In fact, more than 36,000 members have taken part in this virtual musculoskeletal program, enjoying guided movement based on advanced computer vision technology.
Clinical outcomes from these telehealth initiatives speak volumes. Recent data indicates that 92% of participants remained engaged and 72% completed their respective programs. Encouragingly, over two-thirds of patients entering the Virtual Joint Health program with moderate to severe pain reported substantial relief. Many participants also noted improvements in accompanying mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, further indicating the broader impact of comprehensive healthcare strategies.
Richard Clarke, Senior Vice President and Chief Analytics Officer at Highmark Health, shared insights regarding the tangible benefits realized from these virtual health services. He mentioned a statistically significant reduction in emergency department visits and hospital admissions, affirming that these initiatives contribute not only to improved individual health outcomes but also offer overall cost savings to the healthcare system, enabling continual investment into enhancing health services for members.
Highmark Health operates with the aim of creating better access and experiences for their members, believing that such efforts lead to enhanced health outcomes. With its vast network that employs over 44,000 professionals, Highmark serves millions of Americans, and their commitment to innovation in health services positions them as a leader in addressing the convoluted needs of modern healthcare.
As part of this health revolution, Highmark's Virtual Pelvic Health serves as a testament to the power of technology in caring for women's health. As these services become more mainstream, the hope is that even more women will take advantage of such high-quality care that can be rendered from the comfort and privacy of their homes, ultimately leading to higher satisfaction and better health outcomes across the board.
Recognizing that nearly one in three women are affected by such conditions, Highmark has integrated this service into their existing health management platforms for eligible members. The revolution lies in the accessibility of care; members can conveniently access this service via the My Highmark app or through a web-based portal at no additional cost. Upon enrollment, participants are matched with specialized pelvic health professionals who guide them through personalized exercises tailored to their individual needs.
Each enrolled member receives an FDA-listed insertable device designed to track their pelvic floor muscles' performance through metrics such as force, endurance, and accuracy. The combination of the sensor and mobile application ensures that users receive immediate feedback on their exercises and can monitor their progress over time. Additionally, the app serves as a hub for educational resources aimed at fostering behavior change and establishing healthy habits.
Karen Hanlon, Highmark Health's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the organization’s commitment to improving health experiences for their members through initiatives that are both discreet and easily accessible. By removing the stigma associated with pelvic health conditions, women can now strengthen their pelvic health in the comfort of their own homes.
This new offering complements Highmark's existing Virtual Joint Health program, which has already demonstrated successful outcomes for thousands of members. Since its initial rollout in 2022, Virtual Joint Health has shown remarkable efficacy in reducing the necessity for frequent provider visits and minimizing associated costs for patient care. In fact, more than 36,000 members have taken part in this virtual musculoskeletal program, enjoying guided movement based on advanced computer vision technology.
Clinical outcomes from these telehealth initiatives speak volumes. Recent data indicates that 92% of participants remained engaged and 72% completed their respective programs. Encouragingly, over two-thirds of patients entering the Virtual Joint Health program with moderate to severe pain reported substantial relief. Many participants also noted improvements in accompanying mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, further indicating the broader impact of comprehensive healthcare strategies.
Richard Clarke, Senior Vice President and Chief Analytics Officer at Highmark Health, shared insights regarding the tangible benefits realized from these virtual health services. He mentioned a statistically significant reduction in emergency department visits and hospital admissions, affirming that these initiatives contribute not only to improved individual health outcomes but also offer overall cost savings to the healthcare system, enabling continual investment into enhancing health services for members.
Highmark Health operates with the aim of creating better access and experiences for their members, believing that such efforts lead to enhanced health outcomes. With its vast network that employs over 44,000 professionals, Highmark serves millions of Americans, and their commitment to innovation in health services positions them as a leader in addressing the convoluted needs of modern healthcare.
As part of this health revolution, Highmark's Virtual Pelvic Health serves as a testament to the power of technology in caring for women's health. As these services become more mainstream, the hope is that even more women will take advantage of such high-quality care that can be rendered from the comfort and privacy of their homes, ultimately leading to higher satisfaction and better health outcomes across the board.
Topics Health）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.