Boone Hospital Center offers new insurance plan to employers

Boone Hospital Center officials on Thursday unveiled a health insurance plan available to businesses with 10 or more employees.

Patients can receive care without visiting their primary care provider in-person under the plan, which uses an app that allows patients to text, voice or video chat their doctor.

John Miles, a surgeon with Columbia Orthopedic Group, said there is no deductible, co-pay or expense for the patient if they only require care through the app.

“It enables primary care physicians to be more efficient in delivery of care and more available simultaneously,” he said.

If an in-office visit is needed after the telecommunication, then the primary care provider will see the patient within 24 hours.

Miles said Boone Hospital Center’s insurance doesn’t exclude physicians or services Boone Hospital doesn’t provide. He said they are open to a contract with the University of Missouri Health Care system.

“We would welcome a direct contracting with the university for certain services,” he said. “We don’t anticipate doing trauma or burns here for example. They do a fine job with that at the university.”

In late August, MU Health announced a new health care insurance plan through a partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The plan is being marketed to employer groups in Columbia and Jefferson City markets with 51 or more employees.

Coverage under Boone Hospital Center’s and MU Health’s plans will begin in January.