DiMe Launches Initiative to Streamline Virtual Care Contracts and Improve Patient Access

The Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) announced a new initiative at the AHIP 2026 Conference aimed at creating best practices for contracting with virtual care providers. This move is crucial as more commercial payers are entering into agreements with virtual-first providers, but significant operational issues often arise between signing the contract and implementing the service.

Dina Bam, partnerships lead of DiMe, explains that while many contracts are signed, the real challenge lies in the implementation phase. "The core problem is that signing a contract between a virtual-first care provider and a payer and actually delivering reimbursable virtual care to a patient are two very different finish lines," she said. Common issues include contracted providers not appearing in health plan directories or being listed with incorrect information, which can make it difficult for patients to access the care they need.

Bridging the Implementation Gap

To address these challenges, DiMe's initiative, called Post-Contracting Operational Readiness for Virtual-First Care, will bring together commercial payers, virtual care providers, and policy advisors. The goal is to develop a comprehensive toolkit that outlines clear steps and best practices for executing and implementing virtual care contracts.

The toolkit will include a step-by-step roadmap detailing the roles and responsibilities of each party involved, focusing on common points where issues typically arise. It will also establish a minimum viable data standard for onboarding virtual-first providers, ensuring both payers and providers have a clear understanding of what is required. A 90-day operational readiness scorecard will set validation checkpoints for directory accuracy, member access, and claims performance.

"One of the key features of the toolkit will be a list of common failure points and how to address them," Bam added. "These insights are based on real experiences from both payers and providers, which makes the guidance highly practical and actionable."

Why It Matters

The success of virtual care hinges not only on the technology but also on the seamless integration into existing healthcare systems. By addressing operational gaps, DiMe's initiative can significantly enhance patient access to digital health services. This is particularly important as telemedicine continues to grow, offering convenient and often more affordable alternatives to traditional in-person visits.

Improving the visibility and accuracy of virtual care providers in health plan directories can lead to better patient outcomes and satisfaction. It also ensures that claims are processed correctly, reducing administrative burdens for both providers and payers. Ultimately, this initiative aims to create a more efficient and effective virtual care ecosystem, benefiting all stakeholders involved.

The toolkit is set to be released in the fall, following a summer of collaborative work among industry leaders. As healthcare continues to evolve, initiatives like this one from DiMe play a crucial role in ensuring that technology serves the needs of patients and providers alike.