As the health care marketplace becomes saturated with telehealth choices, Rush University System for Health has launched a new suite of services that goes above and beyond what others have been able to deliver before — powered by one of the nation’s top hospital systems, as ranked by Vizient and U.S. News & World Report.
Rush Connect is the umbrella for all of Rush’s digital-first health offerings — a unified platform that brings together virtual care services and digital tools to make high-quality care simpler, more convenient and personalized. It has all the features that are the cornerstones such offerings — virtual primary care, virtual urgent care, mobile app, and chatbot support — and a new virtual specialty care program that offers same-day or next-day access to specialty care.
Today Rush is introducing Rush Connect+ — a new digital care membership service, available at $19 a month or $189 annually — where patients will have a simple, affordable way to stay on top of their health that provides personalized help and care they need, when and where they need it. That includes a direct line to a real human assistant, available seven days a week by live chat or phone, to quickly answer questions or curate appointments to fit your schedule, plus 24/7 virtual urgent care access nationwide.
“There are many options for virtual care these days, but none is as comprehensive or connected into the fabric of the top-quality health system as what we have created on our Rush Connect platform,” said Paul Casey, MD, MBA, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Rush. “Rush Connect+ is a natural extension of that platform to create a seamless, concierge-level care navigation experience and access to 24/7 virtual urgent care anywhere in the country.”
In addition to Rush Connect+, Rush Connect can expedite access to specialty care with Rush Connect Virtual Specialty Care. Currently available for eight specialties, patients looking to solve problems ranging from acne to high blood pressure, as well as more private concerns about sexual health and weight loss, can find appointments available almost immediately.
“Let’s say you have a new concern about your heart. Health care is already difficult enough to navigate, and waiting weeks or months to see a cardiologist often keeps patients from making an appointment,” said Ben Wolfe, senior director for digital transformation. “With Rush’s suite of virtual specialty care options, patients can see a provider today or tomorrow — providing peace of mind without the wait.”
These digital-first options are available through My Rush, powered by Rush Connect. The new My Rush app — available now for early access and being fully rolled out to patients later this year — brings MyChart features and access to all Rush Connect services, appointment scheduling, care team messaging and help from an AI-powered assistant.
Additionally, on Rush’s newly redesigned appointment scheduling page, patients are able to launch an AI-powered chatbot and symptom checker to find the right care for their needs and quickly access care in just a few taps.
Other enhancements to the patient experience offered through Rush Connect include:
- Important health reminders where patients receive texts or emails if they qualify for certain health screenings — which can be scheduled with just a few clicks.
- Wait time alerts so patients receive real-time text message updates about precisely when they will see their doctor once they arrive at a Rush clinic.
- An easy way to provide feedback through a text message micro-survey that is automatically sent out asking about the patient’s visit. If there are any issues, Rush can call you to try to make it right.
“Rush Connect is all about creating unparalleled convenient access,” Casey said. “We want our patients to be able to get care where and when they need it. For many, that may mean in-person visits with their providers. While for others, it means opening their smartphone at 3 a.m. However patients choose to seek care, we want them to have a seamless experience and know that they are receiving Rush-quality care in every setting.”
