SEATTLE — Healthcare today is complicated, expensive, and not a very good experience, which is why Premera Blue Cross and MultiCare, two locally based companies in the Pacific Northwest, have come together to offer Peak Care for employers in Pierce County.
"Everybody involved in health care could have a better experience," says Dr. John Espinola, EVP of Healthcare Services at Premera Blue Cross, "Our employer customers actually want more predictability in their health care costs, more affordability so that they can spend money on the things that they want to invest in, including jobs, and research, and production. We think patients could have a much better experience, it could be more affordable and simpler. And of course physicians, the people providing the health care, need a better life day in and day out to be able to have an easier experience and focus on what matters for the patients they care about."
"What we're really trying to do is to create a convenient platform for the patients and to reduce the background hassles for docs and advanced practice providers," says Dr. David Carlson, SVP of Physician and Provider Enterprises at MultiCare.
That's where Peak Care comes in. "This process allows us to take a lot of those hassles away," explains Dr. Carlson, "Because we have a trusting partnership where we're all in it for the same purpose. To provide great care for people, and to do it in a way that we're mutually benefiting, along with the patient."
Peak Care plans leverage Premera’s more than 80 years of experience providing health plans in Washington state with MultiCare's integrated health network of hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers. Both companies are committed to working together to change healthcare for the better.
Peak Care provides customers with innovative service:
- Simple doctor search, with cost estimates for common services and procedures
- Easy online booking for appointments
- Virtual care with video chat or a phone call for a low copayment
- A ride to your appointment if you need it
Urgent Care provides support for the modern individuals on-the-go. "The design is 30 minutes in and out," says Dr. Carlson, "You see one person who walks you through the visit, very convenient, and designed to be quick and efficient, but it's a limited menu of services."
All together, the result is not only a better experience for patients, but lower costs for employers and, in many cases, lower costs for care when employees need it.
Right now Peak Care is only available to employers in Pierce County, but they may expand in the future.
This segment is brought to you by Premera Blue Cross. Watch KING 5's New Day Northwest 11:00 weekdays and streaming live on KING5.com. Connect with New Day via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
