Health and wellness in the digital age

The digital tools available to UPMC Health Plan members

Technology has changed the way we live. That extends to how we interact with wellness content [1]. The Pew Research Center reports that 81 percent of Americans own a smartphone. Many of them use their phone as their main internet-connected device [2]. We use apps to find a ride, find dates, pay bills, and read the news. It’s hard to find any part of our lives that isn’t connected.

We even use our phones to visit the doctor. But it doesn’t stop there. Here are some other ways tech is changing our health:

• Apps: Many people use apps to track wellness stats on their phones. Some apps are specific to one area of wellness, like fitness, meditation, or productivity. Others combine two or more of these. Some apps also have built-in features to help users reach goals. These features include reminders, challenges, and care managers.
• Wearables: According to the Pew Research Center, 1 in 5 Americans used a fitness tracker in 2020 [3]. These devices help people track things like activity, sleep, and heart rate. This data is sent to apps or health care providers. These devices can help you keep track of your progress over time.
• Remote patient monitoring: Remote monitoring connects doctors to patients’ medical devices. It lets doctors track patient health through blood pressure cuffs, scales, and more. The information is sent from the device to the doctor so they can review the patient’s progress. Research shows that this model is helpful for patients who want to improve their health [5].
• Telemedicine: Demand for remote care is rising. Telemedicine helps doctors meet that demand. It connects health care providers to patients in real time through video calls [3]. It’s a great way to get remote care, especially for those with limited access to providers [4][6].
• At-home tests: At-home test kits help people learn about their health. At-home kits can test for many things, like DNA and hormone levels. Some at-home kits require a prescription. Others are sold over-the-counter or online [7]. Results are delivered by mail or through the company’s app or website.

Accessing digital health and wellness tools as a UPMC Health Plan member

UPMC Health Plan members have access to many of these health tools. They can help you manage your health and wellness.

Our offerings include:

The UPMC Health Plan app: This app makes it easy to navigate your health insurance benefits, find the care you need, schedule a 24/7 video visit, and get answers to your questions. You can use it to see member ID cards, medical claims, and plan details. Download from the App Store or Google Play.

The UPMC Health Plan member site: After you download and register to use the UPMC Health Plan app, you can use your username and password to access the member site. This secure, members-only website gives you access to the information that’s on the app and more! The redesigned member site has an updated layout and streamlined home screen that make it easy to access plan details, find important plan resources, and manage the account for yourself or your child.^*

The UPMC MyHealth 24/7 Nurse Line: UPMC nurses are here to help you determine the right level of care for your health concerns—at no cost to you.^** Call 1-866-918-1591 (TTY: 711) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

UPMC 24/7 Video Visits: UPMC 24/7 Video Visits help you get the nonemergency care you need when you need it. You can have a live video visit 24/7 with a provider without leaving your home.^*** Start a visit from your smartphone, tablet, or computer through the UPMC Health Plan member app or site.

Tech has changed how we live our lives. Instant access to information helps us connect with resources at the touch of a button. There are many ways you can take advantage of digital tools to improve your health.

*The UPMC Health Plan member app is available for members age 13 and older.

** UPMC nurses who answer calls are licensed to assist members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New York, and Ohio. Members must be in one of those states when calling the UPMC MyHealth 24/7 Nurse Line. The UPMC MyHealth 24/7 Nurse Line is not a substitute for medical care. If an emergency arises, please call 911 or your local ambulance service, go to the nearest emergency room, or call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Nurses cannot answer plan or benefit questions. For plan or benefit information, please contact Member Services at the phone number on your ID card or call 1-844-220-4785 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

***Members who are in Pennsylvania at the time of a virtual visit may select a UPMC-employed provider, subject to availability and discretion of the provider. Members located outside of Pennsylvania at the time of service or those who select Talk Therapy or Psychiatry services will receive care from a provider employed or contracted by Online Care Network II PC (OCN), also known as Amwell Medical Group. It is at the discretion of OCN providers to choose whether to treat patients ages 0 to 2. OCN is not an affiliate of UPMC. Limitations may apply for members of ASO plans that have opted out of coverage. Talk Therapy or Psychiatry services through UPMC Health Plan telehealth services are not covered services for UPMC Community HealthChoices participants, UPMC for You members, or UPMC for Kids members. 24/7 video visits for children ages 0-2 are not available from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. or outside of Pennsylvania. If a member is under the age of 18, the member’s parent or legal guardian must be with the member during the video portion of the visit, and the child and parent or legal guardian must be in Pennsylvania during the visit. Providers are not available to treat members who are in Puerto Rico.

References:

1. Halamka J, Cerrato P. The Digital Reconstruction of Health Care. NEJM Catalyst. 2020;1(6). doi:10.1056/cat.20.0082
2. Demographics of Mobile Device Ownership and Adoption in the United States. Pew Research Center. 2021. Updated Nov. 13, 2024. Accessed July 7, 2025. pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/.
3. Vogels EA. About one in five Americans use a smartwatch or fitness tracker. Pew Research Center. Aug. 14, 2020. Accessed July 7, 2025. pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/01/09/about-one-in-five-americans-use-a-smart-watch-or-fitness-tracker
4. Kang J, Chen Y, Zhao Y, Zhang C. Effect of remote management on comprehensive management of diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 epidemic [published online ahead of print, 2021 Jan 1]. Prim Care Diabetes. 2021;S1751-9918(20)30363-6. doi:10.1016/j.pcd.2020.12.004
5. Lee SWH, Chan CKY, Chua SS, Chaiyakunapruk N. Comparative effectiveness of telemedicine strategies on type 2 diabetes management: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):12680. Published 2017 Oct 4. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-12987-z
6. Nittari G, Khuman R, Baldoni S, et al. Telemedicine Practice: Review of the Current Ethical and Legal Challenges. Telemed J E Health. 2020;26(12):1427-1437. doi:10.1089/tmj.2019.0158
7. Testing for COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 10, 2025. Accessed July 7, 2025. cdc.gov/covid/testing/index.html