Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is partnering with Maven Clinic, a digital family health platform, to offer members additional family and maternity support, the health plan announced Wednesday. The Maven Clinic platform will be available for the 2023 open enrollment period.
Insurer members can use New York-based Maventhe application of. Once they log in and confirm they are part of BCBSM, they gain access to 24/7 virtual care with Maven Care Advocates who answer questions and help direct users to the services they need. Members can receive virtual clinical support from specialized providers, including obstetricians, pediatricians, lactation consultants, pediatric sleep coaches and psychologists.
The platform includes care matching where users can find care advocates and virtual coaches based on identity, race, ethnicity, faith-based orientation and LBGTQ status, said Aji Abraham, senior vice president of business innovation at health plans and market solutions at BCBSM.
“Our aim is to support all pathways to parenthood, including support for mums-to-be, dads, same-sex partners, transgender people and single parents,” said Abraham.
Maven offers three programs through the platform: family building, maternity and parenting, and pediatrics, according to news release. The Family Building Program provides resources for infertility treatment, preconception care, egg freezing, adoption and surrogacy. The Maternity Program, which spans 12 months, provides resources for prenatal and postpartum care, NICU support, and high-risk pregnancies. The Parenting and Pediatrics program is designed for parents with children ages 1 to 10 in need of pediatric care, parenting education, and special needs support.
A reimbursement tool called Maven Wallet is available in the app to allow employees of self-funded employers to receive reimbursement.
If members need personal care, the clinic refers users to providers in the network. Maven’s resources are intended to be an extension of BCBSM’s current benefits and provide additional support between regular in-person meetings.
Employer groups will only pay for members who use the Maven platform, not based on general membership, Abraham said. BCBSM will then pay Maven and process claims for members they care for. The payment model is a departure from the way several employee benefit companies are paid by employers who market their products and services to employers. Typically, employers pay them at a monthly rate per member based on the total number of employees, regardless of how many of them actually use the product.
Maven, which achieved unicorn status last year, isn’t the only company in the digital mothering and parenting space. Other companies include Ovia Health and Perish.
BCBSM chose to work with Maven because of its proven track record, Abraham said. In its eight-year experience, the technology company has achieved a 20% reduction in C-sections and a 28% reduction in NICU stays.
In addition to the impressive results, Abraham was also struck by the company’s mission. He added that BCBSM and Maven have a “a shared mission for health equity and investment in community partnerships to address racial disparities and improve maternal and infant health care and outcomes.”
BCBSM’s ultimate goal in partnering with Maven Clinic is to provide inclusive, flexible and affordable member benefits. It also wants to improve employee retention, productivity and health care costs for employers, Abraham added.
“We want our members to have the easiest and most successful path to starting a family,” Abraham said. “Starting or growing a family is one of the most important decisions a person or family can make. There are cost factors to consider as well as the health of the parent and child. Positive outcomes are only possible with access to the right resources and care.”
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