Chicago, IL – january 8th, 2026 – Families in Cook County, Illinois, now have access to 24/7 remote pediatric care, thanks to a new collaboration between Aetna Better Health of illinois and Blueberry Pediatrics. This innovative approach aims to dramatically improve access to care for nearly one-third of Aetna Better Health of Illinois’ pediatric members in the state, and will expand statewide in phases.
The program equips each enrolled family with a Blueberry Medical kit containing a smart earscope (otoscope), pulse oximeter, and digital thermometers.These tools allow board-certified pediatricians to diagnose and treat conditions that conventional telemedicine often misses, all from the comfort of home. Families can connect with pediatricians at any time-day or night-through secure messaging, video, or audio.
“This collaboration is about more than access-it’s about outcomes,” said Melanie Fernando, CEO of Aetna better Health of Illinois. “By equipping families with diagnostic kits and on-demand access to pediatricians, we are removing barriers to care, reducing unneeded ER visits and ensuring children in our communities get timely, high-quality care.”
Blueberry Pediatrics’ unique model goes beyond simple convenience. The company financially guarantees its services, promising to reimburse Aetna Better Health of Illinois if the program doesn’t generate enough savings in emergency department costs to cover its fees. This value-based approach incentivizes improved care and cost reduction.
“Every family deserves peace of mind knowing a pediatrician is available when their child needs care,” said Lyndsey Garbi, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Blueberry pediatrics. “with Blueberry’s medical kit and our team of board-certified pediatricians, we can manage more conditions virtually, keep children out of the emergency room and deliver better outcomes for families.”
The collaboration highlights both organizations’ dedication to accessible, family-centered care and establishes a new benchmark for pediatric telehealth across the nation.
Aetna Better Health of Illinois families in Cook County can sign up for Blueberry today by clicking this link.
About Blueberry Pediatrics
Blueberry Pediatrics provides 24/7 access to board-certified pediatricians and innovative medical kits expanding capabilities of telemedicine. With a value-based,at-risk model,Blueberry helps payers and families reduce avoidable emergency department visits,improve quality measures,and deliver better pediatric care at scale. learn more at blueberrypediatrics.com.
Clarification of Changes & How Questions are Answered:
* Why: The collaboration between Aetna Better Health of illinois and Blueberry Pediatrics was initiated to improve access to pediatric care, reduce unnecessary emergency room visits, and deliver higher quality care to families. It’s driven by a desire to remove barriers to care and improve health outcomes.
* Who: The key players are Aetna better Health of Illinois (a health insurance provider) and Blueberry Pediatrics (a telehealth company specializing in pediatric care). The beneficiaries are families in Cook County, Illinois, specifically Aetna Better Health of Illinois pediatric members. Melanie Fernando (CEO of aetna) and Lyndsey Garbi, MD (CMO of Blueberry) are also key figures.
* What: Aetna Better Health of Illinois and Blueberry Pediatrics have partnered to offer 24/7 remote pediatric care to families in Cook County. This includes providing families with a medical kit (otoscope, pulse oximeter, thermometer) and on-demand access to board-certified pediatricians via secure communication channels.
* How did it end? The program is currently launching in Cook county and is expected to expand statewide in phases. Blueberry Pediatrics has a unique financial guarantee: they will reimburse Aetna if the program doesn’t generate enough savings
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