Health insurer Vhi recorded over 100,000 digital consultations in 2023, including in excess of 82,000 online GP consultations and 18,000 consultations with physiotherapists, dietitians and speech and language therapists, according to figures obtained by Pulse+IT.

Vhi’s Snap and Send claims service also saw a dramatic increase in activity, with 1.5 million claims processed through the service in 2023. This represents a 30 per cent increase on 2022.

The service allows members to quickly submit day-to-day claims from any device and receive payment directly into their bank account.

Vhi launched a number of digital initiatives last year, including a new online symptom checker integrated into the Vhi app.

A digital cover check component was added to the app in September 2023. This allows Vhi members to check if they are covered for an in-patient treatment. By the end of the year, the service had been accessed approximately 87,000 times.

Last year also saw the go-live of the Vhi’s electronic health record (EHR) platform throughout the Vhi Health service network. Through this platform, enabled by Cerner, Vhi clinicians can access and update members’ clinical records, healthcare interactions and future appointments across all the insurer’s Health and Wellbeing centres and services.

It also enables GPs to access real time information on members’ health episodes.

A Vhi spokesperson said the Cerner EHR system used at its health and wellbeing centres helped to streamline administration, reduce costs, and enhance patient safety.

“The system records all healthcare interactions of Vhi members within Vhi’s Health and Wellbeing Centres in one place, including clinical notes, test results, and future appointments,” the spokesperson said.

“This ensures that Vhi clinical staff have access to patient information regardless of the specific Vhi health service being used.

“GPs can refer patients electronically, and Vhi can discharge patients back to their GPs after consultations, screenings, or diagnostic tests at any of the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Centres. Medical reports and discharge summaries are sent to the patient’s GP via the HSE’s HealthLink system.”

In July 2023, Vhi launched a new rapid access dermatology service in partnership with AllView Healthcare. It provides end-to-end care for the diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions including acne and melanoma.

Teledermatology is a key part of the service. Through the AllView telediagnostic platform, specialists review dermoscopic images and medical notes and give an assessment without having to see the patient in person or via video link.

Images of the problem skin area are scanned in a nurse-led AllView Healthcare clinic and reviewed remotely by a consultant dermatologist. The results and recommendations are then communicated directly to the patient and the referring GP.