Boost Mobile will be the first big carrier to offer healthcare as a subscriber perk

Most phone plan bonuses revolve around streaming services and freebies, but Boost Mobile is trying something unique: online doctor’s visits. The Dish-owned carrier will soon offer ‘free’ virtual health services to Unlimited Plus subscribers, making it the first large phone network to provide healthcare as a perk.

The bonus gives you around-the-clock virtual help through the K Health app on your phone. You can chat to certified doctors, use an AI-based symptom checker, and even get prescriptions or personalized treatment plans. This won’t replace your health insurance or family doctor, to be clear. It’s instead meant to “address the [healthcare] divide” and provide services to people who can’t always afford it, Boost chief Stephen Stokols said.

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The virtual health offering will officially debut in the summer. Customers who don’t subscribe to Unlimited Plus can add K Health at a discounted $7.99 per month.

There’s little doubt Boost Mobile is using virtual health as a well-timed incentive. Many Americans are still concerned about their ability to afford healthcare as the COVID-19 pandemic (hopefully) fades away, and Boost as a prepaid carrier may be uniquely positioned to help those who need it most. It’s not certain whether a feature like this will last. Still, there’s little doubt it could be useful — and it might just prompt rival networks to offer more practical extras going forward.