What is Rush Connect+?
Chicago-based Rush University System for Health has revolutionized digital healthcare access with the launch of Rush Connect+, a groundbreaking $19-per-month subscription service. This innovative digital care membership represents a significant leap forward in virtual healthcare delivery, designed to streamline access to medical services and extend Rush’s renowned care far beyond the Chicago metropolitan area.
The digital healthcare subscription is a cornerstone of Rush’s comprehensive digital transformation strategy, directly addressing the evolving expectations of modern healthcare consumers who demand convenience, speed, and personalized care experiences. This strategic initiative positions Rush as a leader in the competitive telehealth marketplace while maintaining their commitment to academic medical excellence.
Key Features and Benefits
24/7 Virtual Urgent Care
Rush Connect+ provides subscribers with round-the-clock access to qualified healthcare professionals through their advanced virtual care platform. This 24/7 virtual urgent care service ensures that patients can receive immediate medical attention regardless of time zones or geographical constraints, making it particularly valuable for busy professionals and families with demanding schedules.
The virtual urgent care component integrates seamlessly with Rush’s broader virtual healthcare infrastructure, including virtual primary care services, urgent care consultations, and same-day virtual specialty appointments. This comprehensive approach ensures continuity of care that extends beyond single-episode treatments.
Personal Healthcare Assistant
One of the most distinctive features of Rush Connect+ is its dedicated personal healthcare assistant service. Ben Wolfe, Senior Director of Digital Transformation at Rush, describes this service as similar to a “hotel concierge” experience, providing subscribers with personalized support for appointment scheduling, care coordination, and healthcare navigation.
This personalized healthcare support goes beyond traditional telehealth offerings by creating a continuous relationship between patients and their healthcare team. The personal assistant helps bridge communication gaps and ensures that patients receive appropriate follow-up care when needed.
Nationwide Accessibility
Unlike many regional healthcare systems, Rush Connect+ offers nationwide availability, making it accessible to consumers across the United States. Dr. Paul Casey, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Rush, emphasizes that this nationwide reach appeals not only to individuals seeking affiliation with an academic health brand but also to employers managing distributed workforces.
This nationwide telehealth access is particularly valuable for former Chicago residents who have relocated but wish to maintain their relationship with Rush’s high-quality care standards. The service enables Rush to extend their reputation for excellence to patients regardless of their geographical location.
Pricing Strategy and Market Positioning
Competitive Analysis
Rush determined the $19 monthly subscription price through comprehensive competitive benchmarking, extensive patient feedback analysis, and detailed internal cost assessments. The pricing strategy considered market leaders like Amazon’s One Medical at $9 per month and specialized services like Blueberry Health at $20 per month.
Wolfe explains that the $19 price point represents a carefully calculated balance between affordability and value, factoring in technology costs, virtual urgent care visits, and personal assistant staffing expenses. This strategic pricing positions Rush Connect+ competitively while ensuring sustainable service delivery.
Patient Feedback Integration
The development of Rush Connect+ heavily relied on insights from a standing feedback panel comprising more than 3,000 Rush patients. This extensive patient feedback mechanism helped determine pricing sensitivity and service preferences, ensuring that the final offering aligns with actual patient needs and expectations.
This patient-centered approach to service development demonstrates Rush’s commitment to creating solutions that genuinely address healthcare consumer demands rather than simply following industry trends.
Success Metrics and Future Outlook
Since its July launch, Rush Connect+ has been tracking several key performance indicators, including early adoption rates, patient satisfaction scores, and long-term engagement metrics. System leaders are particularly focused on understanding whether members utilize the platform as a genuine entry point to Rush’s comprehensive care ecosystem.
The digital healthcare analytics team monitors both in-program activities and external healthcare utilization patterns to assess the service’s effectiveness in keeping patients healthy and connected to Rush’s broader services. This data-driven approach ensures continuous improvement and service optimization.
The Future of Digital Healthcare
Rush Connect+ represents more than just another telehealth offering; it embodies a fundamental shift toward subscription-based healthcare models that prioritize continuous engagement over episodic care. Unlike many national telehealth services that focus on single episodes, Rush’s model emphasizes continuity and deeper clinical relationships.
Wolfe illustrates this approach: “Many services will treat a symptom and move on. But if it’s your seventh sinus infection of the year, we’ll connect you to an ENT the next day. You’re not just getting convenience — you’re getting a path to long-term solutions.”
This comprehensive digital healthcare approach positions Rush Connect+ as a leader in the evolving healthcare landscape, where patient expectations continue to drive innovation and service delivery transformation. The service’s success will likely influence how other academic health systems approach digital care delivery and subscription-based healthcare models.
Dr. Casey emphasizes the commitment to continuous improvement: “We’re going to continue using that Amazon model — being super responsive to our patients’ needs. Ultimately, they’ll tell us whether we’re hitting the mark.”
Leave a Reply