Medibank and American Well to Launch Online Care for Consumers in Australia and New Zealand

MELBOURNE, Australia and BOSTON, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Medibank and American Well™ Inc. today entered into a long-term agreement to bring Online Care services to the people of Australia and New Zealand, powered by American Well's telehealth technology.  Medibank's launch will include a specific focus on making convenient Online Care services available to general practitioner practices, for use with their patients and target populations, as well as to employer groups, rural communities, and to millions of consumers in both countries. The agreement marks the first deployment of American Well's telehealth technology outside of the United States.  

"A key pillar of Medibank's strategic agenda is embracing innovations that can improve the health of all people, no matter what their needs or stage of life," said Dr. Matthew Cullen, group general manager of telephone and online health services at Medibank.  "Our partnership with American Well allows us to better deliver a range of quality, convenient healthcare services – including acute, chronic, preventative and psychological care – directly into people's homes and workplaces, anywhere in Australia, New Zealand or around the globe."

Medibank's Online Care service will improve access by allowing consumers to come together with a variety of healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses and other clinicians, for either on-demand or scheduled encounters.  Using two-way video, secure text chat and/or phone, providers will be able to review patients' clinical information, discuss symptoms, provide medical advice, and diagnose and prescribe medications as appropriate. At the end of each online consultation, a record will be captured automatically that the consumer can share with appropriate healthcare providers including their personal general practitioner, maintaining continuity of care.  

With one of the most dispersed populations in the world, Australia is highly focused on providing equal access to quality healthcare for its residents, whether they are located in major cities, in rural areas, or are even working in other countries on behalf of their employers.  Telehealth is a key vehicle for improving that access.  Last year, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced an ambitious goal to deliver 500,000 online consultations between patients and general practitioners and specialists in just four years, supported by hundreds of millions of dollars in targeted investments.  

"Medibank's efforts reflect and reinforce Australia's status as a global leader in telehealth. We are proud to enter into a strategic, long-term relationship that supports its vision of making Online Care a reality for the people of Australia and New Zealand," said Ido Schoenberg, MD, chairman and CEO of American Well, Inc.  "This announcement denotes a remarkable trajectory for Online Care. In three years, it has grown from our first launch in Hawaii, to the mainland US, and soon to Australians and New Zealanders located not only in their countries, but anywhere around the world."

Medibank's Online Care services are expected to launch in early 2012.

About Medibank

Medibank is Australia's largest integrated provider of private health insurance and health solutions.  Medibank Health Solutions offers innovative and cost-effective health care services to business and government. Drawing on more than 35 years' experience, working in partnership with over 4,000 businesses and government organizations, we help Australians to better manage their health. Our team of over 1,500 medical and allied health professionals provide more than 3 million health care interactions a year, by telephone, online and from our Australia-wide network of clinics:

• Telephone and web-based health advice, coaching and counseling, around the clock, seven days a week;
• Travel health for consumers and business;
• Visa medical assessments;  
• Workplace health care.

Medibank, under its Medibank Private and ahm brands provides health cover to over 3.7 million Australians.

About American Well

American Well™ brings healthcare into the homes and workplaces of patients. Its Online Care Suite is the industry's leading telehealth solution, connecting providers and patients for live, immediate, and clinically meaningful encounters using the Web or phone. With its patented technology, the Online Care Suite removes traditional barriers to healthcare access – such as geography, mobility, and time constraints – while enabling providers to deliver quality care in a flexible, convenient manner, generating revenue along the way.

Media Contacts:

American Well
Julie Goldman or Dave McKee
Schwartz Communications
781-684-0770
[email protected]

Medibank
Sarah Chibnall
+61 3 8622 5181 office
+61 423 76 26 76 cell
[email protected]

Victoria Hanlon
Media Advisor
+61 3 8622 6388 office
+61 467 723 004 cell
[email protected]

SOURCE American Well