Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network team-up with WebMD

bcbsm.com site

Starting this fall, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network members will have access to a new set of health and wellness programs through a partnership with WebMD Health Services.

Participating members will get to benefit from the new online wellness platform, offering a health assessment, digital health assistant and health information, while being able to incorporate these programs into their benefit structure.

The innovative tools are accessible on mobile devices allowing members to take the Health Assessment or access the digital health assistant on a tablet or mobile phone.The innovative tools are accessible on mobile devices allowing members to take the Health Assessment or access the digital health assistant on a tablet or mobile phone. Moreover, members will have the opportunity to access the digital wellness programs through the bcbsm.com member site, where they can also check their coverage, monitor claims activity, and shop for doctors and health care services.

“Employers know the value of wellness programs, and how the right program can help their employees get healthier and ultimately, help better manage overall health care costs,” said Ann Baker, vice president, Wellness and Care Management at Blue Cross. “With WebMD Health Services, we’ll be able to offer our employers and members an engaging, digitally robust and integrated wellness experience.”

Blue Cross and Blue Care Network members who have health care coverage will all have access to a portion of the online wellness programs, but additional wellness programs will be available for groups to purchase to enhance the wellness options for their employees.

An employer survey released in August 2012 by the National Business Group on Health found that 61% of firms said they found wellness programs to be among the three most effective tactics for keeping a lid on health care costs.