Blue Shield of California, Adventist Health Announce Telehealth Initiative

Families in rural northern California communities will be able to receive specialty care not available in their areas as the result of a telehealth initiative between Blue Shield of California and Adventist Health, based in Roseville, Cal., which was announced today.

The telehealth initiative will provide patients in rural communities with access to specialists through interactive video technology, which allows the patient to see, hear and interact with the specialist.

Patients will go to their local Adventist Health location for the appointment with a specialist. Adventist Health sites located in Paradise, Clearlake, Ukiah, Willits, Fort Bragg, St. Helena, Napa and Sonora will be participating in the telehealth initiative.

A clinical coordinator on site will assist the patient and use diagnostic equipment to ensure accurate data, images and audio are sent to the specialist. The visits will be confidential, and all information will be encrypted and sent through a secure connection.

"Blue Shield is proud to launch this telehealth initiative with Adventist Health in order to increase access to specialty care to our exchange members in rural parts of northern California," said Juan Davila, executive vice president of healthcare quality and affordability at Blue Shield of California. "This is just one more way that Blue Shield is working to fulfill its mission to provide access to high-quality, affordable healthcare across the state."

Blue Shield and Adventist Health intend to expand this initiative to more locations and to make the program available to additional Blue Shield members later in 2014.

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