Highmark Health, Google Cloud, and League today unveiled their collaboration on an interoperable, digital health platform that makes it simple for individuals to navigate health care and connect to the right tools and resources when and where they need them.

The navigation technology can be envisioned as a “digital front door” to a holistic customer experience and will initially be integrated into a new My Highmark health insurance member portal and mobile application. Via one username and password, My Highmark will provide seamless care navigation, shared care plans, virtual and digital health, simplified bill payment, and cost transparency to Highmark’s 6.8 million members.

How does it work?

The platform will use data to guide consumers through their individualized health journeys, connecting them with the right care at the right time. By creating a pathway that suits each member’s needs and interests, it’s easier to engage in and take the right steps to manage care, which ultimately improves health outcomes and overall population health.

My Highmark will begin a phased roll out to select populations of Highmark members in January 2023. In addition to providing a single access point for members’ health coverage and care, My Highmark will include third-party partner programs and other employer-sponsored benefit programs-accessible via one app. Consolidated programs will vary based on employer and plan, but some examples include prescription services, virtual chronic condition solutions, telehealth and virtual specialist appointments, dental and vision plans, retirement plans, commuter programs and even pet insurance.

While members may already expect to see availability of some virtual health appointments, such as virtual urgent care, My Highmark will include access to digital chronic condition solutions, as well as virtual multi-specialty practice capabilities, ranging from primary care and pediatrics, to behavioral and women’s health.

Better access improves engagement, boosts the quality of available services, and realizes medical cost savings. However, simply providing more opportunities and solutions does not solve for fragmentation in the health industry. By integrating many health and wellness benefits into one digital platform, members will no longer have to search through apps and recall multiple passwords to engage in their health actively and meaningfully.

On the record

“While many in the health and tech industries are in early discussions to evolve the consumer health experience, Highmark Health, Google Cloud, and League are in a period of action,” said Karen Hanlon, executive vice president, chief operating officer, Highmark Health. “The blended, personalized experience within My Highmark is a milestone in our Living Health strategy to make health care less fragmented and frustrating to navigate, and simpler for members to proactively engage in their health.”

“Consumers are demanding seamless, personalized experiences. Highmark Health chose to build on League’s healthcare CX platform to create a digital front door that meets that demand,” said Michael Serbinis, founder and chief executive officer, League. “With industry-leading technology from League and Google Cloud, Highmark Health is engaging members in seamless and holistic health journeys.”

“Google Cloud and League share a common goal with Highmark Health: move health care from its current state to one that is more integrated, personalized, and easily accessible,” said Amy Waldron, global lead, health plan solutions, Google Cloud. “It’s through collaborations like these that move the industry and redefine the healthcare experience for millions at a time. Today’s cloud technologies, partnered with ambitious industry leaders who are passionate about changing the healthcare paradigm, have the ability to make good health and health care more attainable than ever before, for everyone.”

The context

League previously announced a strategic partnership with Google Cloud that aims to accelerate and enable successful digital transformation in health care by leveraging Google Cloud’s interoperability, FHIR-enabled technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other leading capabilities. League’s interoperable, FHIR-based platform integrates point solutions and data sources to deliver high-engagement, personalized healthcare experiences consumers love.

Highmark Health and Google Cloud have been working together since 2020, when the Living Health model was first announced. League is focused on delivering a superior user experience, aligning with Highmark Health’s mission to deliver a remarkable experience that leads to engagement in health and sustainable affordability.