Creating a Unified Mobile Experience for Ballad Health
Creating a seamless mobile experience that extends Epic MyChart functionality, simplifies care navigation, and increases patient engagement across a regional health system.
8,000+
New MyChart registrations in the first year
4
States served across Ballad Health's regional network
THE CHALLENGE
Unifying Care Navigation Across a Merged Regional Health System
Formed by the merger of two regional health systems, Ballad Health serves communities across Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky through 21 hospitals as well as long-term care and outpatient facilities.
While patients relied on Epic MyChart to access health information, completing other common healthcare tasks often required navigating separate experiences or logging into multiple systems. Ballad Health wanted to create a unified mobile experience that made it easier for patients to manage care, find information, and complete everyday actions from a single destination.
Modea partnered with Ballad Health to design and develop a branded mobile application that would extend the value of its existing Epic MyChart investment while giving the organization greater control over the patient experience.
Seamless experience across iOS and Android devices with responsive design optimized for patient workflows.
OUR APPROACH
Strategic Design Meets Robust EHR Integration
Modea partnered with Ballad Health to craft a mobile experience that balances clinical depth with intuitive consumer usability.
Designing a Strategy Rooted in Consumer Expectations
Modea conducted extensive discovery, competitive research, and digital product strategy activities to better understand consumer expectations. The team evaluated MyChart’s capabilities alongside leading consumer digital tools to identify opportunities to simplify navigation, improve usability, and strengthen patient engagement.
Designing a Unified Experience Patients Actually Trust
Building on these insights, Modea designed a mobile-first experience that integrates Epic MyChart functionality within a seamless, branded interface fully owned and controlled by Ballad Health. The resulting interface enables patients to manage appointments, message care teams, search for providers, refill prescriptions, and view test results within a single application.
Engineering a Single App for Two Platforms
Modea’s engineering team delivered healthcare mobile app development services using Ionic and Angular, creating a shared codebase that supports both iOS and Android platforms. The app integrates Phynd data to power provider search while leveraging Epic MyChart integration for secure clinical workflows.
- Cross-Platform Architecture: Developed in Ionic and Angular for simultaneous deployment on iOS and Android.
- Seamless EHR Integration: Connected clinical services securely through Epic MyChart workflows.
- Provider Search Integration: Powered network directory functionality using Phynd data integration.
- WCAG AA Compliance: Implemented rigorous accessibility testing across devices, operating systems, and user flows.
Integrated provider search and scheduling interface connecting directly into Ballad Health's directory.
THE RESULTS
Measurable Impact on Patient Adoption and Brand Growth
The new mobile experience simplified access to healthcare services by bringing provider search, appointment management, billing, and Epic MyChart functionality into a single branded application. By giving patients a more convenient way to manage their care, the app strengthened digital engagement while expanding adoption of Ballad Health’s existing patient portal capabilities.
Drove Portal Adoption
Generated more than 8,000 new MyChart registrations within the first year after launch, demonstrating rapid consumer adoption and expanding digital engagement.
Extended Epic MyChart Value
Created a custom, branded experience that extends traditional patient portal capabilities to encompass provider search, cost estimation, and bill pay.
Delivered Cross-Platform Efficiency
Deployed a single, maintainable codebase in Ionic and Angular to ensure uniform performance and features across both iOS and Android users.
Earned Industry Recognition
Recognized with W3 Awards for Best User Experience and Best User Interface, as well as a Digital Health Award.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
Built with Scalable, High-Performance Technologies
FAQs
Why would a health system build a custom mobile app if it already uses Epic MyChart?
While Epic MyChart provides access to core patient portal functionality, a custom mobile application allows health systems to create a branded experience tailored to patient needs. Organizations can combine MyChart features with additional tools such as provider search, appointment management, billing, and future digital services within a single experience.
How can healthcare organizations extend the value of Epic MyChart?
Healthcare organizations can extend the value of Epic MyChart through thoughtful EHR integration and healthcare mobile app development initiatives that connect clinical functionality with consumer-focused digital experiences. This approach allows patients to access clinical information alongside consumer-focused tools, creating a more convenient and connected healthcare journey.
How can a mobile app increase patient portal adoption?
Mobile apps can make patient portals more accessible by integrating clinical functionality into a streamlined, user-friendly experience. By combining Epic MyChart features with provider search, scheduling, billing, and other patient services, healthcare organizations can reduce friction and encourage greater engagement. For Ballad Health, the mobile app generated more than 8,000 new MyChart registrations during its first year.
What are the benefits of a branded healthcare mobile app?
A branded mobile app gives healthcare organizations greater control over the patient experience while strengthening brand recognition and engagement. It also creates flexibility to introduce new features, improve navigation, and evolve digital services without relying solely on standard patient portal experiences.
How can healthcare organizations build scalable mobile applications?
Scalable healthcare applications are built using flexible architectures and technologies that support ongoing enhancements and cross-platform development. For Ballad Health, Modea used Ionic and Angular to create a shared codebase across iOS and Android, simplifying maintenance while supporting future innovation.