Capital BlueCross has expanded its wellness resources to include a new mobile app focused on mental wellness needs. NeuroFlow is a self-guided mobile app - available on iOS or Android - designed to help users improve their mental wellness and better address anxiety, depression, and other mental health needs. It offers self-care and relaxation exercises, mindful meditation resources, and sleep and mood monitoring tools.

Capital BlueCross helped bring NeuroFlow to market through the Lancaster-based Smart Health Innovation Lab (iLab), which Capital BlueCross co-founded in 2018. The lab works to bring emerging health care technologies to market faster and advance cutting-edge technology aimed at improving health outcomes for patients. NeuroFlow was among the lab's first graduates.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put mental wellness front and center, as so many people have struggled with the ripple effects of social isolation, economic hardships and the loss of loved ones. Capital BlueCross is working to make mental wellness resources more readily available now and beyond the pandemic.

The NeuroFlow app initially will be available to members of certain Capital BlueCross group plans. Eligible members will be able to download and register for the app using information sent to them by Capital BlueCross.

Capital BlueCross also prioritizes mental wellness in its Virtual Care telemedicine app by offering access to psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors in addition to physicians. To improve access to care during the pandemic, Capital BlueCross has temporarily waived Virtual Care member fees through Wednesday, March 31, for medical and mental health visits. This means eligible members are not responsible for paying a copay, coinsurance, or a deductible for these virtual visits.

In early 2021, Capital BlueCross will issue a mental wellness toolkit to employers covered under its plans. The toolkit will offer guidance and resources to help employers and employees better address mental health needs, including ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression.

For more information about NeuroFlow, readers may visit http://www.neuroflow.com.