Lakeville’s garden expo set for March 20 2A Lakeland in Eagan sued for alleged f raud 7A Nonprofit looks to expand charitable reach 10A
DERRICK WILLIAMS JESSICA HARPER ERIN JOHNSON
dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz
DATE ##, 2009 MARCH 11, 2010
VOLUME 31, 30, NUMBER NUMBER 2 # VOLUME
Dakota County Tribune Since 1884
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Blue Cross offers virtual clinic to employees
INSIDE BIZ FORUM
Health care provider launched pilot program Dec. 1, plans to expand to market by 2011
JOHN KLINE FORUM
Federal stimulus money is improving Minnesota’s economy by creating or saving jobs. DON HEINZMAN 3A
by Jessica Harper DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
This past winter, Liam Condon, a 35-year-old instructional developer and designer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, got an ear infection. But instead of seeing a doctor at a nearby medical clinic, he visited with one online. “I like the convenience of it,� he said. “I can talk to a doctor within two minutes of logging on as opposed to calling for an appointment, driving there and waiting to meet with a doctor.� Condon is one of 10,000 Blue Cross employees and families participating in a pilot program launched on Dec. 1 called Online Care Anywhere by which they can visit with a family physician or specialist via Web-based software. The software – Online Care Personal Edition – was developed by a Boston company called American Well. The software enables patients to talk with their doctors by telephone, instant messaging or Web cam. Patients log on to the virtual clinic, and within minutes can meet with a physician on a first-come, first-served basis or by appointment from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. During their 10-minute appointment, patients can get advice on diet, nutrition, or how to manage chronic conditions, among other concerns. They can also get a diagnosis and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries or medication refills. When visiting with a physician from one of the two stations on Blue Cross’s campus, employees can talk to the physician through a Web cam, and check their own blood pressure, weight and body mass index. Each visit costs $45, $25 of which is subsidized by Blue Cross. The goal is to provide faster, more inexpensive health care, said MaryAnn Stump, senior vice presiSee Virtual Clinic, Page 40A
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Photo by Jessica Harper
Liam Condon, a 35-year-old instructional developer and designer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, is one of 10,000 employees and families participating in a pilot program called Online Care Anywhere in which they have access to online visits with family physicians and specialists from work or home.
BUSINESS 101
It is vital for educators to f ind the right balance between technology and academic achievement. AARON RAMIREZ 6A CAPITOL COMMERCE
TIM BUDIG
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House/Senate transportation committee hears testimony on the dangers of using cell phones while driving. 8A
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Photo by Jessica Harper
Patients are able to check their own blood pressure, weight and BMI at two stations on Blue Cross’s campus when participating in Online Care Anywhere, a pilot program that allows them to visit with doctors via Web-based software called Online Care Personal Edition, which was developed by a Boston company called American Well.
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