With many stressors affecting peoples’ mental and physical health, Priority Health has partnered with Livongo Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVGO), the leading Applied Health Signals company empowering people with chronic conditions to live better and healthier lives, to offer its members free access to myStrength, a digital behavioral health solution with a breadth of evidenced-based activities to manage stress and bolster mental health and wellness.
“As the healthcare community continues to combat the physical effects of COVID-19, it is crucial that we offer solutions to also address related mental health issues,” said Dr. James Forshee, Chief Medical Officer at Priority Health. “Virtual mental health tools can help you restore your sense of control, so you are better able to address your feelings and concerns.”
Priority Health members who sign up have the option of having a dedicated engagement health coach while they go through the program. myStrength leverages eight evidence-based paradigms across more than 1600 activities, which can either be self-directed or through coaching support. Topic areas activities cover include:
- COVID-19 resources
- Managing depression
- Anxiety
- Reducing stress
- Managing chronic pain
- Drug or alcohol recovery
- Mindfulness
- Balancing intense emotions
- Pregnancy and early parenting
- Improving sleep
- Moving beyond trauma
- Opioid recovery
- Nicotine recovery
- And more
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown that nearly half of adults in the United States reported their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over its multiple effects,” said Livongo Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bimal Shah, M.D. “Unfortunately, we believe that this burden will continue to grow. Livongo is proud to partner with PriorityHealth to provide PriorityHealth members a proven digital behavioral health solution that empowers them to with the tools to manage their mental health and wellness on their own terms.”
Members can sign up for a free account that includes interactive activities, coping tools and other resources, including inspirational community support at www.priorityhealth.com/mystrength. The few simple questions required for sign up are confidential and the information is not shared with Priority Health.
Another stressor during these times comes from concerns about being able to access medical care. Priority Health recently announced that it is offering $0 cost share virtual care through December 31, 2020 for non-COVID-19 related acute care visits to get treatment for common ailments such as cold and flu symptoms, back pain, sprains, strains and more. Behavioral Health virtual care is also included, allowing members to receive treatment from the comfort and safety of their own home without any additional costs. To access virtual care, members can download the Priority Health app, available on the App Store or Google Play, and log in to their member account. They can also access their online member account on a desktop, laptop or other device. Members can also contact their doctor to ask about virtual care options.
Members who don’t have internet access or need immediate mental health support can also call Priority Health directly. The company has an on-staff behavioral health team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, that can be reached from the telephone number on the back of member’s ID cards. Calls are confidential. In case of emergency, call 911.
For more information about screening, testing and treatment of COVID-19 and resources to support coverage, go to https://www.priorityhealth.com.
About Priority Health:
With over 30 years in business, Priority Health is the second largest health plan in Michigan offering a broad portfolio of health benefits options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Serving more than one million members each year and offering a network that includes 97 percent of primary care physicians in Michigan, Priority Health continues to be recognized as a leader for quality, customer service, transparency and product innovation. Priority Health is the smart choice for people seeking affordable, quality health insurance.
About Livongo
Livongo empowers people with chronic conditions to live better and healthier lives, beginning with diabetes and now including hypertension, weight management, diabetes prevention, and behavioral health. Livongo pioneered the category of Applied Health Signals to offer Members clinically-based insights that focus on the whole person and make it easier to stay healthy. Using its AI+AI® engine, Livongo’s team of data scientists aggregate and interpret substantial amounts of health data and information to create actionable, personalized, and timely health signals delivered to Livongo Members exactly when and where they need them. The Livongo approach delivers better clinical and financial outcomes while creating a different and better experience for people with chronic conditions. For more information, visit: www.livongo.com or engage with Livongo on LinkedIn or Twitter.
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