Joining an ever-growing number of health plans looking to help their members access health information wherever they may roam, Highland has announced the launch of its Highmark Health@Hand iPhone application.
The app provides members with a host of featuress, including the ability to find the closest Highmark participating providers including hospitals, urgent care facilities, retail clinics and pharmacies.
"Mobile phone applications open up an entirely new channel for interaction with our members," said Matthew Childs, Highmark web strategy and development vice president. "It makes healthcare and wellness information more portable and accessible. We chose to focus our app on health and wellness because Highmark has a long-standing commitment to helping our members 'have a greater hand in their health.'"
In addition to plotting the nearest providers, the iPhone app provides interactive health tools that allow members to search for information about specific illnesses, symptoms and medical conditions. The app includes a health and wellness section that offers members tips as well as wellness programs that are available to Highmark members.
To produce the app, Highmark partnered with A.D.A.M. as its technology vendor. The iPhone was chosen for the mobile applications because it is one of the fastest growing mobile devices available.
Like other payers that are looking to put more responsibility in the hands of its members for their own health, Highmark also has a number of online tools designed to engage visitors to their website. And it's not just wellness discounts the company offers. Highmark member websites offer discounts ranging from deals at national hotel chains such as Fairmont and Westin to special offers from Reebok, Jenny Craig and even LasikPlus.
"We recognize that achieving good health isn't all about health care. It's about taking care of yourself as well," said Childs. "These national discount partners give our members discounts of up to 50 percent on products and services that can keep them healthy and well."