What's Happening?
WakeMed Health & Hospitals has announced a partnership with Rezilient Health to introduce four 'CloudClinics' in the Raleigh-Durham area starting January 2026. This initiative is designed to provide WakeMed's
12,000 employees with same-day access to primary and specialty care without copays or deductibles. The CloudClinic model combines remote physicians with on-site medics and diagnostic tools, allowing comprehensive physical exams to be conducted remotely. This approach aims to reduce healthcare costs and absenteeism by offering unlimited access to care, thereby preventing chronic disease mismanagement and reducing emergency room visits.
Why It's Important?
The partnership between WakeMed and Rezilient Health represents a significant shift in healthcare delivery, particularly for employers seeking to manage rising healthcare costs. By eliminating traditional insurance barriers, the CloudClinic model offers a direct-to-employer benefit that could lead to substantial savings. This model not only enhances access to care but also integrates with WakeMed's existing electronic health record system, ensuring seamless referrals for complex care needs. The initiative could set a precedent for other healthcare systems to adopt similar models, potentially transforming employer-sponsored healthcare benefits.
What's Next?
Initially, the CloudClinics will be available to WakeMed employees and their dependents, with plans to extend the service to other corporate clients in the region later in 2026. As the model gains traction, it may prompt other healthcare providers to explore similar partnerships, potentially leading to broader adoption of hybrid healthcare solutions. Stakeholders, including employers and healthcare providers, will likely monitor the outcomes closely to assess the model's effectiveness in reducing costs and improving employee health outcomes.
