TACOMA — CHI Franciscan Health and Molina Healthcare announced on March 4 that Molina will now cover the cost of Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care visits for all of its Medicaid members with a Franciscan Primary Care Provider.
Molina’s Medicaid members are now able to receive free health care 24/7 via phone, webcam, smartphone, tablet or PC through Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care. CHI Franciscan Health and Molina Healthcare estimate that more than 16,000 members will be covered for free Virtual Urgent Care visits.
Molina Healthcare is the largest Medicaid health plan in Washington, with more than 500,000 members.
While less expensive than the typical trip to the doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency room, Virtual Urgent Care has not previously been covered by health plans or insurance companies.
“Establishing a partnership with Molina to cover Virtual Urgent Care is a big step forward for CHI Franciscan Health and for the virtual health care industry as a whole,” said Mark Adams, MD, chief medical officer of CHI Franciscan Health.
“Virtual health care delivery benefits patients, care providers and insurance companies alike through its low cost, convenience and flexibility. We’re thrilled for Molina Healthcare to join us in empowering patients to access care how, when and where they need it.”
Patients using Virtual Urgent Care have access to Washington-based board-certified doctors and nurse practitioners — any time of day or night — who can offer diagnoses, prescribe medication, and set up in-person follow-up appointments. This initiative will also update Molina members’ records with the information from the Virtual Urgent Care visit to ensure that care is coordinated with their primary care physician.
“This groundbreaking partnership will help our members get convenient 24/7 access to urgent care services without having to worry about transportation, childcare, or long waits,” said Frances Gough, MD, chief medical officer for Molina Healthcare of Washington.
“By covering the full cost of virtual urgent care services for members with CHI Franciscan Health primary care physicians, Molina is opening the door to high quality, convenient urgent care services for members who might otherwise think that their only alternative to in-person urgent and primary care is the emergency room.”
Virtual Urgent Care was initially introduced to CHI Franciscan Health patients in September 2013. Since its launch, they estimate that the service has saved patients more than $600,000 compared to the cost of seeking care at an emergency department, urgent care or primary care provider or clinic.
CHI Franciscan Health is a nonprofit health system based in Tacoma, with a team of more than 12,000 doctors, nurses and staff at eight acute-care hospitals and more than 100 primary and specialty care clinics in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties. This includes St. Anthony Hospital, Gig Harbor; St. Clare Hospital, Lakewood; St. Elizabeth Hospital, Enumclaw; St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way; St. Joseph Medical Center, Tacoma; Harrison Medical Center, Bremerton and Silverdale; Highline Medical Center, Burien; and Regional Hospital, a long-term acute-care hospital located within Highline Medical Center.
Started in 1891 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, today CHI Franciscan Health is one of the largest health systems in Washington state.
Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Through its locally operated health plans in 11 states across the nation, Molina currently serves more than 2.6 million members.
