Regence Emphasizes Quick Access With New DTC Telehealth Service

Regence is putting a new spin on direct-to-consumer telehealth with a service that promises members access to a doctor within seconds.The Oregon-based payer with more than 3 million members in several Western states has launched the Ask a Doctor – Secure Messaging platform, an mHealth app that connects with a doctor via text message in seconds and offers options for audio and video connections as well as photos.James Polo, MD, Regence’s Executive Medical Director for Behavioral Health, says the platform takes away the administrative tasks that often clog up DTC telehealth services and delay care for people who may just want an answer to a quick question or a friendly voice telling them their health concern doesn’t merit a trip to the ER.