Expanding access: What’s behind broader care opportunities
At LifeWise, our purpose is to improve customers’ lives by making healthcare work better. Among the many ways we serve this purpose is by being a champion of access. We’re part of a nationwide movement toward greater access to care for more people, and we want to be leaders in that effort.
Recent history
Greater access to healthcare has been a much needed movement in the United States. The access movement got a huge boost of momentum when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law in 2010. With the historic Act, individuals and families finally gained access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance plans, such as those provided by LifeWise, without restrictions dictated by employment, income, or pre-existing conditions.
The ACA is what gave LifeWise its start.
Momentum continues
Technology has added fuel to the care access movement. Telehealth, or virtual care, for example, has been a boon for people in rural and remote areas with limited healthcare resources. Virtual care, covered in every LifeWise plan, also provides more flexibility for individuals with other constraints, such as childcare, transportation, or physical conditions that limit mobility.
Additionally, technology is fostering better communication between healthcare organizations, patients, and providers. For instance, our digital health messages deliver personalized and secure updates about health screenings or benefits information right to members’ smartphones.
Meeting you where you are
More access points were established with the sudden growth of urgent care clinics. Urgent care serves patients whose health journey has them in what used to be a care gap between the emergency room and their primary care providers.
In the spirit of filling the gaps, LifeWise-sponsored member-exclusive primary care clinics, called Kinwell, bring care closer to where our members live. We now have 17 community care Kinwell clinics statewide.
On a related point, LifeWise now offers health plans to 33 Washington counties (more than any other Washington health plan organization, we’re proud to say).
Access also means simplifying the pathway to care, expanding services, and making it all as affordable as possible for as many people as possible. That’s why LifeWise members can see a provider or specialist without a referral, pay nothing for preventive care visits, and receive expanded coverage for mental health and alternative care.
Why we’re here
At LifeWise, we’re here to connect our members with the care they need to live their healthiest lives. In that role, you will see us continue to push the envelope and offer innovative features and benefits that promote access to care. Greater access helps us fulfill our mission, and helps our members live fuller and healthier lives.
Simple and seamless access makes the healthcare experience better for everybody.