nib launches new Amazon Alexa Skill to help members find a provider via VERSA

In a first for the Australian health insurance industry, nib in conjunction with digital design and voice experience (VX) agency, VERSA has launched a nib Skill for Amazon Alexa to better connect members to local health providers and health insurance information.

With thousands of health providers across Australia, ranging from GPs and surgeons to dentists, many Australians find it difficult to navigate the health system and find the right provider to suit their needs.

Using voice recognition technology, nib’s Alexa Skill will enable both nib members and consumers to do just that, by asking Alexa to help locate a specific healthcare provider in their area. It will also provide a daily health tip and assist with questions about their general health insurance information.

nib’s chief information officer, Brendan Mills, said by using the latest in technology they were able to create a simple way for consumers to access the information they need, just by asking “Alexa, launch nib”.

“At nib we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to empower our members to make better choices when it comes to their healthcare.

“Our Alexa Skill will help connect Australian households to our First Choice and MediGap network of providers simply by using their voice.

“This will provide them with ease of access to a broad network of doctors, specialists or dentists helping them to make more informed decisions when searching for the right health provider.

“Australia’s leading digital design and voice experience (VX) agency, VERSA was a key driver in the development of nib’s ‘voice’, creating a simple guided experience for its users.”

Says Tyler Hamilton, conversational strategist, VERSA: “We worked with the nib project team to ensure that users would be able to get the most out of nib’s excellent provider network by simply asking.”

Says Jonny Clow, managing director, VERSA: “It’s an exciting time in Australia’s voice experience landscape when forward-thinking companies like nib are dedicated to improving their customers’ lives with exceptional initiatives like this.”

The first phase of nib’s Alexa Skill will allow users to access over 21,000 Medical providers, including GPs and Medical Specialists included in nib’s MediGap network. Users can also find more than 3,800 ancillary providers such as dentists and optometrists, including their local nib dental and eyecare centres.

nib members and Amazon users can find out more information about nib’s Alexa Skill at https://www.nib.com.au/alexa/.