Telemedicine and the convenience and efficiency it offers has made it an attractive feature of any benefits package. The concept of telemedicine has been on the rise for a while now, but the impact of COVID-19 has led employers to adjust their benefits packages to include telemedicine as an option for their employees. Is it time for you to make the telehealth transition and add this feature to your employee benefits package? Here's a look at why you should say "yes" to telehealth.
Convenient care: Telemedicine allows patients to see a physician by phone, app, or online service, making healthcare convenient and accessible at a time that works best for them. Sometimes it can take weeks to get an in-office appointment, but telemedicine allows patients to see a doctor in a very timely manner-- sometimes almost immediately.
Accessible care: Some patients may live far away from their closest healthcare provider, so telemedicine gives those patients better access to general practitioners and even some specialists without the travel and scheduling burdens. Some telemedicine programs even offer prescription delivery services straight to the patient's home.
Quicker care: An article from medicaleconomics.com says that patients save an average of 100 minutes by utilizing telehealth services instead of attending an in-office visit. Telemedicine eliminates the travel and waiting time patients would use for an in-office visit.
Competitive care: Developing an employee benefits package that offers telehealth options and other additional features is a great way to attract and retain talent.
Cost-efficient care: The majority of telemedicine options are cheaper in the long run for both employees and employers. Some telehealth programs offer an option for patients to be seen without a co-pay, but at most, virtual appointments average at around $50 per visit. Additionally, telemedicine has been proven to decrease the number of patient ER visits, also saving money for the employee and employer.
Increased productivity & attendance: The convenience and accessibility of telemedicine usually makes employees more likely to schedule appointments and handle health issues (including chronic and ongoing issues) quickly, decreasing the chances of taking multiple days off to attend doctor's appointments. Quickly addressing illnesses and treatment will also decrease the spread of any viral illnesses that could be carried throughout your office as well.
During these uncertain times, we are all continuing to adapt and make adjustments in all aspects of our lives to protect ourselves and our employees. Adding telemedicine to your benefits package is a great way to continue to ensure your employees have the accessibility to safe healthcare while avoiding doctor's offices and hospitals when necessary.
We are here for you and we have options to help you make this transition. Click the link below to contact one of our employee benefits advisors today to learn more about the benefits of transitioning to telehealth.