Services would streamline healthcare provider selection and payments
TELUS Health has partnered with Clinia, a leading provider of health-grade search technologies, with a goal of leveraging AI-driven solutions to revolutionize health navigation and delivering personalized care, which could create smoother relationships between employers, workers, and care providers.
Martin Bélanger, managing director, payor and provider solutions at TELUS Health says this partnership holds particular significance for health and safety leaders, employers, and worker's compensation boards across the country.
“We see numerous opportunities to improve health outcomes and provide personalized care. Our goal is to empower health and safety leaders and workers with better access to care and highly customized recommendations based on personal health needs."
One of the significant benefits of this partnership is the simplification of healthcare provider selection using artificial intelligence. "In terms of health navigation, it will be personalized and more efficient, utilizing an individual's historical claim management data to guide them to appropriate care providers. This streamlining of processes directly benefits health and safety leaders," explains Bélanger.
He paints a scenario in which a worker twists their ankle. Within hours of notifying their employer, an appointment can be scheduled as quickly as that same day with a physiotherapist nearby, perhaps one the worker is already familiar with. The paperwork and payments are all streamlined and quickly completed.
Bélanger also highlighted the potential for improved mental health support, saying, "we are a big player in the mental health space, and we're working on leveraging the Employee Assistance Plan programs to provide immediate support for those dealing with stress or mental health issues. This partnership makes mental health care more accessible and confidential, ensuring that individuals get the help they need when they need it."
Simon Bédard, CEO and co-founder of Clinia, shared his optimism, saying, “TELUS Health already owns key services and solutions that are essential to building a unified and seamless health journey. Our technology will support them to create connected provider ecosystems that enable payors worldwide to enhance their services, all while empowering more impactful healthcare journeys for individuals and communities.”
Regarding privacy and security concerns, Bélanger assured that TELUS Health takes these issues very seriously. "Security and confidentiality are top priorities for us. We have robust security measures in place across our products and services, and this new partnership further enhances our commitment to data protection."
The partnership between TELUS Health and Clinia includes a substantial financial commitment. TELUS Ventures, the strategic investment arm of TELUS Corporation, is leading a $10 million Series A financing round for Clinia.
Bélanger highlighted the collaborative nature of the partnership, saying, "we aim to build strategic partnerships rather than dominate startups. We have taken a minority equity stake to ensure that both parties are equally invested in developing the product and technology.” A mutually beneficial business strategy that serves the interests of health and safety leaders and worker's compensation boards.
This partnership promises to revolutionize worker care, streamline healthcare access, and provide vital support for mental health, benefiting all stakeholders.
