Verizon Launches Bluejeans-Powered Telehealth Platform

Need to Know 

• Verizon is launching a new virtual health care service called Bluejeans Telehealth.
• The new program allows patients to meet with a doctor remotely and securely, from the device of their choosing.
• Verizon acquired video conferencing platform Bluejeans for $500 million last year.
• The move into telehealth is the latest by Verizon to support the post-pandemic recovery efforts, following last year’s partnerships with Walmart and Accenture.

Analysis

Verizon has launched a new virtual healthcare service called Bluejeans Telehealth. After purchasing Bluejeans’ video conferencing technology last year for $500 million, Verizon has been piloting the telehealth program in partnership with several medical-related institutions.  

BlueJeans Telehealth is touted as “a simple, smart and trusted way for providers and patients to conduct data-driven virtual care conversations.” Given the rapid shift to telehealth following the onset of the pandemic last year (a 154% increase, in fact!), many healthcare providers are looking for new ways to offer care virtually, and Bluejeans provides another option. 

“While the use of telemedicine has been steadily growing for some time now, the pandemic has accelerated telehealth adoption and changed the conversation around what patient care will look like moving forward,” said Tami Erwin, CEO, Verizon Business. 

“We worked closely with an advisory board of health system clinicians and healthcare decision-makers to build BlueJeans Telehealth specifically to address the most pressing needs for a virtual-first telehealth offering—from ease of experience to enhanced security. Today’s launch is just the beginning for Verizon in what we see as the future of telehealth, especially when you consider the innovation that will come from 5G mobility, broadband and cloud capabilities.”

The platform provides fully secure, remote patient/doctor visits and allows patients to fill out pre-appointment questionnaires in advance. Bluejeans also provides a library of reading materials to which doctors can direct their patients for more information. Patients can log on using the device of their choice and the program also partners with a medical interpreter service for patients who use sign language or require closed captioning. 

Verizon’s interest in telehealth is the latest move by the telecom giant to get involved with digital health and post-pandemic recovery efforts. 

Last March, Verizon teamed up with Walmart to equip its stores with 5G data capabilities, allowing the retail giant to ramp up the roll-out of its own digital health services. 

Verizon also last year partnered with Accenture to launch a job-finding service that would connect the millions of newly unemployed people with companies facing increased demand.