News in brief - Jan. 26, 2009

Online doctor visits go live in Hawaii

Hawaii Medical Services Assn., the islands' BlueCross BlueShield plan, has launched its system for online doctor visits and made the service available to all of the state's residents.

Hawaiians can see physicians via webcam or over the phone for $10 a visit if they are members of the Hawaii Blues plan; nonmembers pay $45.

Boston-based American Well provides the interface for the visits. HMSA network physicians may choose whether to offer virtual visits.

As of the Jan. 15 launch date, more than 140 physicians had signed up, according to the insurer. The specialties represented include general practice, family practice, cardiology, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, and urology, according to a news release from HMSA.

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Walgreens markets health care to businesses

Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens Co. is marketing to businesses a combination of work-site health centers, in-store clinics and discount prescription prices.

The program, Complete Care and Well-Being, also offers a 15% savings on all Walgreens-brand products to participating employees, their dependents and retirees.

Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists and other health care workers practice at the Walgreens clinics at employers' campuses or manufacturing facilities. The on-site clinics offer pharmacy and health care services.

Walk-in clinics are open seven days a week at neighborhood Walgreens drugstores nationwide and are staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

The program is offered through Take Care Health Systems, a Walgreens subsidiary.

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