JACKSONVILLE, FL – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has announced the release of its first Florida Blue mobile app for the iPhone and Android smartphones, designed to provide members with general health information, tools to manage their own health and details about their benefits.

"BCBSF is focused on becoming a health solutions company by providing consumers better products and services they need via their channel of choice," said Craig Thomas, chief marketing and strategy officer for BCBSF. "Our mobile app offers another solution – giving our consumers access to the information they need – whenever they need it. The new Florida Blue mobile app allows us to instantaneously provide relevant health tools and information while on the go."

The release of the new smartphone apps continues BCBSF’s push to increase availability of health information to its members through the use of technology. Last year, BCBSF launched a mobile website.

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Plan members can now can view their ID card and get benefit details and plan information such as deductibles, Health Savings Account balances, and recent claims updates. Other tools allow members to search for a doctor based on their plan's network, map the doctor’s location and easily save the information to their contact list. Mobile access to BCBSF data also allows members to search for and compare prices at local pharmacies for prescription medications.

Members and non-members also have access to real-time updates on weather forecasts combined with weather-related health alerts such as pollen, air quality and UV levels along with tips for managing their asthma and allergy symptoms. The app also offers all users information on Florida Blue center health events based on GPS location and a health toolkit feature with tools such as the health check where by entering age and gender users receive a list of recommended health screenings and immunizations for themselves, or their family.

[See also: Mobile health developers see bright future ahead.]

"The new Florida Blue app for iPhone and Android is the newest mobile solution available to Floridians," said Adriana Murillo, director of strategic development for BCBSF. "We are focused on understanding the needs of mobile users in the context of their health when on the go and providing mobile solutions to meet those needs."