The Defense Health Agency has awarded Amwell and Leidos a new contract to develop a hybrid care technology platform for the Military Health System's "Digital First" efforts.

WHY IT MATTERS
Through the deal, the Amwell Converge platform will be deployed to help DHA care teams deliver more seamless "in-person, virtual and automated" healthcare services for the MHS, officials say.

The DHA's task order has a 22-month period of performance, if all options are exercised, with a total value of up to $180 million to Leidos Partnership for Defense Health, which is expected to deliver Amwell Converge.

That platform will replace the MHS Video Connect service, starting at five initial sites – followed by a phased roll-out enterprise-wide. Amwell will also deliver other automated care programs, such as behavioral health offerings and integrated core telehealth tools.

THE LARGER TREND
The DHA's Digital First initiative brings new capabilities and enablement to MHS GENESIS, the military's advanced electronic health record. The Converge platform is already embedded into existing clinical workflows that care teams rely on, including those within the core EHR that powers MHS GENESIS.

At HIMSS23 this past April, DHA leaders described digital first initiative, and its goal of making MHS care delivery "more precise, personal, predictive, preventive and participatory," as  Army Lieutenant General Dr. Telita Crosland described it.

Military leaders discussed virtual care and MHS Genesis with HIMSS TV this spring.

The goal is to better serve the MHS community, which includes 9.6 million active-duty service members, family members and retirees – improving the mental health and wellness of beneficiaries while reducing the burdens on care teams, and reducing healthcare costs and optimizing the utilization of DHA's clinical resources.

"Digital First addresses DHA's goal of better outcomes, new processes, innovation and increased standardization based on evidence," said Jason McCarthy, Leidos senior vice president, Military and Veterans Health Solutions, in a statement. "As part of our overall MHS GENESIS effort to enhance patient experience, we, along with Amwell, are looking forward to providing near real-time, self-service support and hybrid care options for our customer and those whom they serve."

ON THE RECORD
"With this agreement, we are pleased to offer our unique capabilities and help improve access to quality care for the MHS community of users," said Dr. Ido Schoenberg, chairman and CEO of Amwell. "We are grateful for their service, and honored to have been chosen to join Leidos in supporting the Department of Defense as it seeks to adopt and extend the benefits of hybrid care to the Military Health System."

Mike Miliard is executive editor of Healthcare IT News
Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.