Rush Health Launches National Direct-to-Consumer Telehealth Membership

The recent news that Chicago-based Rush University System for Health was launching a new direct-to-consumer (DTC) telehealth membership that provides 24/7 access to virtual care across the country grabbed attention throughout the field.

The membership, called Rush Connect+, will cost consumers $19 per month or $189 a year. The service includes access to a human assistant via live chat or phone for questions and making appointments. In addition, Rush has made enhancements to its other suite of digital health offerings, including a new virtual specialty program that offers same-day or next-day access to specialty care.

Currently available for eight specialties, patients looking to solve problems ranging from acne to high blood pressure, as well as more private concerns about sexual health and weight loss, can find appointments available almost immediately, the health system states.

3 Takeaways on Rush’s DTC program

1 | Rush plans to provide a concierge-level user experience.

Rush Connect is powered by the health tech company Fabric’s AI assistant and virtual care platform. The seamless navigation experience will expand access to urgent care anywhere in the country, said Paul Casey, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at Rush.

Other enhancements to the patient experience through Rush Connect include:

• Important health reminders via text or email when patients qualify for certain health screenings, which can be scheduled with just a few clicks.
• Wait time alerts so patients receive real-time text message updates about precisely when they will see their doctors once they arrive at a Rush clinic.
• An easy way to provide feedback through an automatic text message micro-survey that asks about the patient’s visit. If there are any issues, Rush can call the patient to try to make it right.

2 | The hybrid care experience will help increase access.

The system aims to create a digitally connected hybrid care experience that provides tools to coordinate care and enhance access to services, regardless of where the patient lives or what time they seek care.

3 | Appointment scheduling gets an upgrade.

On Rush’s newly designed appointment scheduling page, patients can enable an AI-powered chatbot and symptom checker to find the right care for their needs and quickly access care in a few clicks.

Rush also will be adding an app, available to all patients later this year, that will incorporate Epic’s MyChart for online patient portal access and access to all Rush Connect digital health services, appointment scheduling, care team messaging and help from Fabric's AI-powered assistant.