What is Educast?
Educast is a Virtual Training and services provider, extending a platform that specializes in Digital Health. Educast comprises of two divisions:
- Educast (Pvt) Limited, a for-profit service platform, and
- Educast Society- A Not for Profit -NGO platform.
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Educast as a group has excellent advisors and consultants in Digital Health and Health informatics from within Pakistan and around the world. There is a long list of successful innovative projects in the Digital Health spectrum accomplished by the capable team of Educast.
After years of successful projects, EDUCAST now offers a unique Joint venture initiative program called BRIDGE in which it will be offering personalized elderly care services for Ageing citizens and family members through digital health technology. Our idea is to serve as a moderator and provide support and care with the highest levels of compassion and professionalism to your loved ones within the comfort of their own homes.
Are you offering old-age home service?
BRIDGE is not an old age home service provider; rather we provide assistance and personal care services to elderly people within the comfort of their own homes. Our goal is to provide peace of mind by becoming the helping hands while family members are physically away from their loved ones due to their professional duties.
What is the geographical area of operation of this service?
We are initially offering this service in 24 major cities and towns in Pakistan. Please see the map on the website.
Is there any trial period in this service?
No, we are not offering any trial period, but we do offer a 100% money-back guarantee within 7 days of using the service, in case of unsatisfactory service from our side.
Do you offer only these plans or can I customize my plan according to my needs?
Yes, you will have the option to customize your plan. All you need to do is to call our customer service and ask about it. We offer a basic monthly subscription package, then we have on-demand services, that do not require one to subscribe to our monthly package.
What kind of services do you offer?
We offer several services to our clients like courtesy calls by doctors, updated medical records in the form of hard copies as a file to keep at the home of your parents/loved ones, and electronically on your smartphones too, We provide personal caregiver visits at home, plus a 24/7 availability of helpline service connecting with licensed family physicians. We also assist in scheduling doctor’s appointments upon request and provide personal escort service to hospitals or clinics. There are many other services that we offer depending on your selection.
How can I enroll in this service?
It is very easy! All you need to do is to contact our helpline number +9221-38226666 or email us at info@bridgeconnect.pk.
Is this service only for the members?
As explained earlier, we have one basic subscription service for registered members, then some services can be availed on demand, no need to get a monthly subscription.
What are the benefits of taking these services?
Our goal is to provide peace of mind especially to our overseas Pakistanis who have their parents and families within Pakistan, as well as offer to anyone living within Pakistan too, all such individuals overseas or with Pakistan who are worried about their elder parents and family members wellbeing and health. Our experienced doctors give regular calls to the elderly parents and family members and arrange visits by trained and certified caregivers in the comfort of their homes. In case of urgent situations, the BRIDGE team can assist the beneficiaries and sponsors and provide guidance accordingly.
We also provide free medicine delivery at the elderly’s homes according to the package selected. The cost of medicine, however, shall be charged according to the current market rates and will be payable by the responsible sponsor.
What do you mean by sponsor and beneficiary?
“Sponsor” is the person who enrolls his/her parents or loved ones for BRIDGE services and is responsible for financial and other matters. “Beneficiary” is the person who receives the service that their sponsors sign them up for.
How do you deliver medicine to the beneficiary’s home?
You have to send us a copy of the prescription either through email, WhatsApp or hand over the prescription to our caregiver (staff) to get the medication delivered to your home through our arrangements. The process of free medicine delivery does not include the cost of medicine. The option is also package-dependent.
Will I be able to monitor the services?
Yes, you can download our app from App Store or the Play Store and you will be able to talk to our assigned doctor at any time. From our portal, you will be able to monitor the complete health record and its update.
Can a sponsor discuss the beneficiary’s health?
Yes, Sponsors can set up a time with the doctor that is assigned to their beneficiary and discuss matters regarding their health. All calls will be monitored and recorded for quality assurance
How do you update the sponsor about the health status of beneficiaries?
We recommend that sponsors visit the portal as frequently as they wish for health status updates. For further assistance, they can set up an appointment with the assigned doctor through call center agents.
How many times in a month medicine delivery will be provided?
It depends upon the package which you enroll in. This service is available in the subscription package only, with a minimum order amount of Rs 1,000/ order, it will free delivery of medicine (Medicine price is not included)
Can any Care Giver be changed/replaced?
Yes, you can ask us to change the caregiver at any time. You will be required to fill out a short questionnaire stating the reasons for your request. Once we receive your request, we will analyze the situation and get back to you in due time. Please allow up to 1 week for any changes to occur after the completion of our process analysis.
Can beneficiaries request to change the assigned Doctor?
Yes, you may ask to request to change the assigned doctor. You will be required to fill out a short questionnaire stating the reasons for your request. Once we receive your request, we will analyze the situation and get back to you in due time. Please allow up to 1 week for any changes to occur after the completion of our process analysis.
Can you arrange an appointment with the beneficiaries’ physicians?
Yes, we can assist and arrange an appointment with the beneficiaries’ physicians, which is subject to the availability of the physician for the requested time. The cost of the consultation charges for that physician shall be borne by the sponsor. This facilitation is only available in the subscription package.
Can you change the beneficiary's existing doctor?
No, we are not responsible for changing their existing doctors
Do you reimburse in cases where the beneficiary has passed away while being under one of the Bridge services?
All services will be immediately stopped, and a refund of the current month will be provided as our packages work monthly.
What do you mean by EMR?
EMR is the electronic medical records of the beneficiaries in which all previous and current medical history is updated electronically.
Do you provide any services on medicines?
Yes, we will deliver the medicines at your doorsteps with a minimum order amount of Rs 1,000/order.
Is Health insurance covered in the package?
No, currently it is not covered in the package. If you want health insurance you may contact our helpline number for further assistance.
Do you cover through conventional insurance or Takaful Insurance?
We do not have any insurance coverage in our packages, but we offer both conventional and Takaful packages which will be charged separately.
If I already have insurance should I receive any kind of cashback?
No, there is no cashback as we do not cover insurance in the packages.
What do you mean by outdoor help service?
Outdoor help service is provided by our skilled and certified person who will be responsible for the safe execution of beneficiaries’ visits to the hospitals or clinics from taking them to their appointments to helping with any paperwork along the visit process.
Bridge charges on an hourly basis for such service of having its care coordinator taking care of all outdoor activity of Elderly parents or family members. ( cost of transport is not included in hourly charges, that will be billed on an actual basis)
What role do BRIDGE doctors play in this service?
Our doctors provide teleconsultation through technology and provide round-the-clock assistance and healthcare advisory to beneficiaries through the call center.
Will your Doctor prescribe/advise any new medications?
You will be required to sign a waiver form, at the time of registration, indicating your permission to allow our doctors to prescribe any new over-the-counter medications if they deem safe and necessary. If the waiver is not signed then a new prescription will not be advised.
Can you take an appointment with any consultant other than the family doctor?
Yes, we can make appointments with any consultant and also guide you to the nearest location of the consultant from the beneficiary’s home. (Charges of the consultant will be informed to the sponsor before finalization of appointment), incase BRIDGE assistance is required to accompany the Elderly or Family members to go to Clinic, then charges will be billed on an hourly basis.
In an Emergency do you provide doctors to visit beneficiaries’ homes?
No, for security reasons we don’t provide home visits by our doctors in emergencies. However, we assist in arranging ambulance and escort services to the hospitals based on selected plans.
Can caregivers visit the beneficiary’s home without prior notification/appointment?
No one from our care team will ever visit or call without prior information. The assigned doctor will provide complete details (full name and a photo) of the assigned caregiver and a potential timeframe for his/her visit.
What is the role of caregivers during their scheduled visits?
Caregivers are responsible for taking vitals for the beneficiaries, establishing a video consultation connection with the assigned doctors for telehealth, counseling the beneficiaries, updating their records, and updating the physical file with printed sheets to be kept at home.
How frequently does a Caregiver visit a beneficiaries’ home?
In the case of a monthly subscription, there is one visit per month by the care coordinator visit along with the mobile clinical setup.
In case of on-demand, then a per visit charges will be billed by BRIDGE for offering such facilitation, please the tariff.
Who is responsible for attending the calls if beneficiaries call late at night on the helpline?
Our 24/7 dedicated call center agents are responsible for attending these calls and connecting them with the on-call bridge doctor.
Will all calls be recorded?
Yes, all calls shall be recorded for quality assurance and compliance purposes.