Healthcare gets a Second Life

As Second Life continues to broaden its domain, industries not normally associated with the virtual world are taking interest. Although Second Life may be old news to you and me, it’s become new territory for many emerging service-oriented companies and industry giants alike, such as Crescendo Design or Cisco Systems.

Cigna Healthcare, a Philadelphia based health-service provider, is the most recent company to take the virtual leap by announcing its development of an island-based community geared towards a technologically savvy audience.

Designed by Method, a brand experience marketing agency, the island showcases a sprawling complex filled with interactive displays that offer a range of services, games, and media outlets. A major feature of the island will be the health consultations that users can take advantage of right from their homes. Also, health seminars appear to be a high priority for Cigna, as users can acquaint themselves with the latest in health trends at the click of a button.

Cigna, along with many other service-oriented companies, is looking towards a virtual future because it provides a vital opportunity to cut costs, while offering easier access to customers (I suppose this beats outsourcing to India). For now, there is no word on when Cigna will open its island to the general public, but it is expected to be soon: much of the island is in post-development.

All in all, it seems that Cigna’s recent move is part of a much greater industry trend to reach new customers while maintaining a cost-effective strategy (although, needless to say, I don’t think you’ll be seeing your grandmother on Second Life anytime soon).

Down the line, Cigna hopes to pass its cost reductions on to customers, but the main focus for now is providing easier access. Although this won’t be the solution for a broken healthcare system, it will mean faster access to it—so hooray for all of us.