Remote Healthcare Benefits for Employees

Remote healthcare is on the rise. The 2022 KFF survey found that 87% of companies provide telehealth services, and this percentage is even higher for larger organizations at 96%. This growing trend is appealing to both employees and employers, especially small businesses, as it offers a convenient and affordable way to access quality healthcare.

Telehealth offers numerous benefits to businesses. By providing convenient and timely healthcare access, it caters to a wide range of needs, including acute illnesses, chronic disease management, prenatal care, pediatric care, and mental health. Both employees and employers can benefit from the efficiency of telehealth. Let's explore these advantages.

Telemedicine offers a significant return on investment. By reducing sick days and enabling early disease detection, businesses can save millions of dollars annually. A JAMA Network study confirms that telehealth can significantly reduce lost work time. Plus, with over 50% of doctor visits suitable for telemedicine, employees can access care more conveniently, leading to faster recovery and a healthier workforce.

Telehealth provides a convenient and accessible way for employees to receive medical care. By eliminating the need for in-person visits, it reduces stress and improves overall satisfaction. When employees feel supported and cared for, they are more likely to be engaged and productive.

Visiting the doctor can expose you to a variety of illnesses. You could catch a cold or the flu and bring it home to your loved ones. Telehealth offers a convenient way to consult with a healthcare provider without risking exposure to germs.

Teletherapy offers a more private, comfortable, and accessible approach to mental health care. With the world facing ongoing economic and health crises, businesses seeking sustainable growth should consider implementing more accessible mental health support. Major corporations like Nike, Bumble, Hootsuite, and LinkedIn have already provided access to online mental health counseling and even compensated employees for taking mental health days. Smaller companies are following suit. While the financial impact of poor mental health on employers and employees is well-documented, the issue goes beyond balance sheets and stock prices. As employees' mental health declines, so does productivity. According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, productivity is declining at the fastest pace on record. As Dr. Hilary Grant, Medical Director of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation, notes, 'Mental health drives, maintains, and exacerbates acute and chronic physical health problems.' Caring only for physical health is like pouring water into a bucket with holes and wondering why it never fills.

It's also a great way to foster employee engagement. McKinsey advises leaders to enhance the overall employee experience in the 'new world of work.' A key to a productive workforce is a highly engaged workforce that can balance their personal and professional lives. Employee lives extend beyond the workplace, and family matters often cause distractions. Telehealth not only allows employees to care for their own health but also their families' in a convenient and efficient manner. A Gallup study found that the cost of low productivity is a staggering $7.8 trillion (2022)—equivalent to 11% of global GDP. And in an 8-hour workday, the average employee is only truly productive for 2 hours and 53 minutes. One of the biggest challenges is the blurred lines between work and personal life. A major distraction is family health and well-being. Benefits such as telehealth and teletherapy for employees and their families can reduce distractions, provide convenient and effective healthcare, improve both physical and mental health, and ultimately boost productivity. In other words, investing in employee well-being pays dividends in terms of productivity.

A 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Healthcare Satisfaction Study found that 67% of people used telehealth services in 2021, up from 37% in 2019.

Telehealth can support a wide range of healthcare needs, including:

• Prescription refills
• Alternative medication advice
• Interpretation of test results or imaging
• Routine mental health check-ins
• Chronic disease management
• Infectious disease monitoring
• Specialties where observing patients in their home environment is advantageous, such as allergy, neurology, psychiatry, and physical therapy
• Primary care, internal medicine, and pediatrics

People appreciate the convenience and comfort of telehealth. If you want your employees to be happy with your employee health program, offering telehealth services is a logical choice.

Everyone needs healthcare, whether it's a few times a year or more frequently for chronic conditions. Having a personal physician who can provide comprehensive care and coordinate treatment plans is invaluable.

Regular check-ins with a personal physician can help employees maintain optimal health. A personal physician is familiar with an individual's medical history, current health status, and unique needs. They can also refer patients to specialists when necessary and help ensure that treatment plans are followed.

A primary care physician or a family medicine doctor can serve as a personal physician. These physicians are general practitioners who provide comprehensive care for adults. They can manage acute illnesses, such as respiratory infections, headaches, back pain, and urinary tract infections, as well as chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, they can coordinate care, medications, and treatment plans. A personal physician can address both physical and mental health concerns.

Just as you would seek a second opinion before making a major purchase like a car or a home, or before choosing a college, it's wise to gather additional information before making a significant health decision.

A 2017 study found that 21% of patients who sought a second opinion from Mayo Clinic received a completely different diagnosis, and 66% received a partially correct diagnosis that was refined by the second doctor.

A second opinion is most helpful when you:

• Receive a serious diagnosis, such as cancer
• Are about to make a major decision about your next treatment
• Are considering surgery. For example, spinal conditions can involve multiple specialists, including orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, pain specialists, and physical therapists.
• Feel your diagnosis or treatment plan is unclear: Many conditions share the same symptoms, leading many patients to seek a second (or third, or fourth) opinion from other experts.
• Are considering a high-risk or experimental treatment
• Are looking for a new approach to a chronic condition that isn't improving or is getting worse
• Have a young child. Not everything in medicine is black and white, and many conditions can share similar symptoms. Young children may not be able to fully describe their discomfort, and parents should trust their instincts when talking to their pediatrician.
• Want to have peace of mind. A second opinion can help you better understand your options and ensure you're not missing out on new treatments.

The workplace is where employees spend a significant portion of their day. Therefore, managers need to make the workplace a place that supports employees emotionally. Online therapy provides a safe space for employees to discuss work or personal concerns and learn how to cope with stressors. Therapists can teach stress reduction techniques, promote resilience, build empathy, and develop healthy interpersonal relationships. Employees can access these services from anywhere, at a time that suits them. This makes mental health care more convenient and effective.

Telemedicine is here to stay, extending its reach from simple health issues to mental health, lifestyle modifications, and online health education.

Technology can deliver health information and education directly to patients via the internet. This includes webinars, medical term lookups, courses on diseases and care through images and videos, short Q&A clips with doctors on common health issues, preventive care guidance, and encouragement for healthy behaviors and lifestyle changes.

A patient's understanding of their health condition and treatment plan is a crucial factor in their adherence and cooperation during care and recovery. Knowledge can also reduce anxiety and provide hope, contributing to better outcomes.

Employees deserve to be treated well and have access to the best possible healthcare. Telehealth can connect employees with specialists when they need them, not when they can no longer cope.

Geographic and time constraints can lead to delays in diagnosing rare or complex conditions. Sometimes it can take up to several years with an average of three misdiagnoses by eight different doctors. Telehealth makes it easier for patients to access top specialists from the early stages of their illness. Countless hours and expenses have been wasted. Easy access to competent medical professionals ensures employees can recover faster and healthier.

One of the primary advantages of telemedicine is convenience. Patients can avoid waiting rooms, reduce exposure to illness, and consult with healthcare providers from the comfort of their own homes or even while on the go. Telemedicine also saves time, as consultations often occur during regular business hours and are relatively brief. Prompt medical advice can lead to timely interventions for acute health issues, reducing the risk of complications or unnecessary emergency room visits.

One of the main advantages of telemedicine is the convenience. There's no need to sit in a waiting room, and no need to worry about catching an illness from others. Patients can meet with a doctor comfortably from their own home or even while on the go.

Telemedicine also helps save time, as consultations often happen the same day and only take a short period of time. Quickly receiving medical advice also means timely intervention for acute health issues, reducing the risk of complications or unnecessary emergency room visits.

Telemedicine allows us to provide care to employees in remote locations, those traveling abroad, and those unable to leave their homes due to illness or disability. By enabling virtual consultations, telemedicine bridges the geographic gap.

With a dedicated physician service, employees can benefit from remote, continuous health monitoring and timely interventions. Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma can be better managed with ongoing monitoring, preventing complications.

Employees can submit questions, consult with their doctor online, and even receive reminders for upcoming appointments. This increased level of engagement leads to better adherence to treatment plans and, consequently, improved health outcomes.

Telehealth offers a convenient way for employees to care for their loved ones. By providing access to virtual healthcare services, companies demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance. Even while at work, employees can have peace of mind knowing that healthcare professionals are available to answer questions about the health of their elderly parents, young children, or pregnant spouses.

Businesses can introduce telemedicine services to employees through various channels, such as:

• Email communications
• Informative posters
• Short introductory videos

These materials should include:

• User guides
• FAQs to address common questions about coverage and benefits
• Real-life testimonials from employees who have used the service
• Online workshops and tutorials to guide employees on how to use the service and address any technical issues.

Encouraging employees to adopt telemedicine is an ongoing process that requires continuous support and guidance. To discuss effective strategies for introducing telemedicine to your workforce and communicating your company's commitment to employee well-being, please contact our Business Accounts team.

Your company can offer telemedicine as part of its existing healthcare program or as a standalone benefit.

We offer both simple prepaid plans and flexible pay-as-you-go plans with monthly usage reports.

By enrolling in our employee wellness program, your employees can access high-quality healthcare from anywhere in the world, saving them time and effort.

Contact us at [email protected] for a quote.

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