CareFirst to invest $3M in telemedicine in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

telehealth

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) is looking to invest up to $3 million over the next three years to telehealth programs aimed at increasing patients’ access to quality health care services in Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.

To that end, the organization has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from qualified nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, or public (governmental) entities seeking funding for innovative programs using telemedicine.

These proposals should focus on telemedicine interactions between provider and patient, and must be submitted online via the Expanding Access to Medical Care through Telemedicine Application and must be completed no later than Nov. 23, 2015. CareFirst will provide additional information during a pre-application webinar on Oct. 26.

CareFirst will provide additional information during a pre-application webinar on Oct. 26.“Barriers including access to providers, lack of transportation and others, should not prevent those in need from receiving quality health care, and this investment will directly impact the underserved communities in our region lacking adequate health care services,” said Maria Tildon, CareFirst Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs.

This isn’t the first time CareFirst is helping such projects in its service area. In 2013, the company issued an RFP on the use of telemedicine to expand access to behavioral health services in underserved rural and urban communities. Organizations receiving funding include Associated Catholic Charities, Atlantic General Hospital, Sheppard Pratt Health System and La Clinica del Pueblo.