In the health plan announced Wednesday, Michigan-based Blue Cross Blue Shield is partnering with the Maven Clinic, a digital family health platform, to provide members with additional family and fertility support. Maven Clinic’s platform will be available during open registration in 2023.
Members of insurance companies can use NYC’s Marvins application. Once they log in and confirm they are part of BCBSM, they have 24/7 virtual care available through Maven’s Care Advocates, who answer questions and help guide users to the services they need. Members have access to virtual clinical support from specialist providers, including obstetricians, pediatricians, lactation consultants, pediatric sleep coaches and psychologists.
The platform includes Care Match, where users can find care advocates and virtual coaches based on identity, race, ethnicity, faith orientation and LBGTQ status, said Aji Abraham, senior vice president of business innovation and market solutions for BCBSM Health Plans.
“Our goal is to support all avenues of parenting, including support for expecting moms, dads, same-sex couples, transgender people and single parents,” Abraham said.
Maven offers three programs through the platform: Homebuilding, Fertility, Parenting, and Pediatrics. Press Releases. Family building programs provide resources for fertility treatment, preconception care, egg freezing, adoption, and surrogacy. This 12-month obstetrics program provides resources for antenatal and postnatal care, NICU support, and high-risk pregnancies. Parents and Pediatrics is designed for parents of children 1 to 10 years old who need paediatric care, parental guidance and special needs support.
A reimbursement tool called Maven Wallet is available on the app, which allows employees of self-funded employers to get reimbursed for expenses.
If a member requires in-person care, the clinic directs the user to an in-network provider. Maven’s resources are designed to extend BCBSM’s current interests to provide additional support between regular face-to-face appointments.
Employers’ groups will only pay for members who use the Maven platform, not based on the total number of members, Abraham said. BCBSM will then pay Maven and process the claim for the member in care. This payment model differs from the way some employee benefit companies get paid from employers who provide products and services to employers. Typically, employers pay each member a monthly rate based on the total number of employees, regardless of how many employees actually use the product.
Maven, which achieved unicorn status last year, isn’t the only company in the digital mother-and-baby space.Other companies include Ovia Health and descendants.
Abraham said BCBSM chose to work with Maven because of its proven track record. In its eight-year experience, the tech company has seen a 20% reduction in cesarean delivery rates and a 28% reduction in NICU hospitalizations.
In addition to the impressive results, Abraham was struck by the company’s mission.He added that BCBSM and Maven have a “A shared mission in health equity and investing in community partnerships to address racial disparities and improve maternal and child care and outcomes. “
The ultimate goal of BCBSM’s partnership with the Maven Clinic is to provide members with inclusive, flexible and affordable benefits. It also wants to improve employee retention, productivity and health care costs for employers, Abraham added.
“We want our members to be able to build families in the easiest and most successful way possible,” Abraham declared. “Starting or growing a family is one of the biggest decisions a person or family can make. There are cost considerations as well as the health of parents and children. Positive outcomes are only possible with access to appropriate resources and care.”
Image credit: Knape, Getty Images
