Here at Forward we have been closely monitoring the coronavirus developments in the U.S. with growing concern. It is now clear that we are on the eve of a national crisis that will have a dramatic impact on all of our daily lives. As people around the country continue to be affected, we’ve been working to respond — to prepare for this epidemic to reach our communities, our neighbors, our members, and our employees. Our Forward family. Our communities are depending upon us to protect their health, and the stakes are high.
As healthcare professionals, we are called to serve our fellow human beings in moments of triumph and in times of crisis. It’s why I became a doctor and why I joined Forward. Our duty as healthcare providers has always extended beyond the individuals we care for today. Our duty is to all — to do whatever we can for those in need. That’s my commitment, and that’s Forward’s commitment. This means stepping up in a crisis, not sitting on the sidelines. We know that the traditional healthcare system can’t absorb the demand this crisis is creating, and we’re putting all of our energy into what we can do for our members, as well as people who aren’t members of Forward.
I’m honored and proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Forward medical team, 30 of the most amazing doctors I’ve ever had the privilege to work with, as well as hundreds of other medical professionals who have chosen to step up. On a personal note, my wife and I have a new baby at home, but I’m here — at Forward — working, because it’s in times like these that we do our most important work as healthcare organizations.
Our doctors and care team, product designers, engineers and operations teams are working around-the-clock to ensure we’re able to provide the best possible care. It’s been incredibly inspiring to watch, and in just the last week, we’ve added specific measures to our product and protocols to support our members as we confront this situation together:
- In-App Assessment: Forward members experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who otherwise believe they have been exposed to the virus can now assess their symptoms in the Forward app. We quickly triage members who are concerned about coronavirus and provide personalized recommendations.
- Onsite Testing: COVID-19 swab testing is now available for Forward members at some of our California locations when it’s medically appropriate based on symptoms, risk factors and likelihood of exposure. We expect testing to be available at all locations in the coming week.
- Safety Procedures: All Forward doctors and medical personnel have undergone specific coronavirus training. We have increased our safety protocols and added equipment to protect both our members and staff.
- Up-To-Date Information: As this situation is evolving rapidly, It’s important to stay informed and remain calm. You can find the latest, including FAQs, at our COVID-19 information center here. We proactively provide trusted information on new services and developments related to coronavirus.
This is just the start of what our team will bring to the fight ahead. We hope that our technology will let us rapidly deploy and scale the services necessary to help as many people as possible. Look for more news from us in the coming days and weeks.
Yours sincerely,
Forward’s COVID-19 care program offers the latest information about COVID and its variants, as well as COVID-19 treatments, vaccinations, assessments to help you stay healthy as we move into the future of COVID.