Top 5 Reasons To Consider Telemedicine

When it comes to healthcare, your workforce prefers a personalized approach. Options that are convenient, and fit their busy lifestyles.

And when you mix this desire from employees, with healthcare’s move towards value over volume, you can easily understand why telemedicine has risen in popularity over the past few years.

In fact, one study by Intel shows the number of telemedicine users has increased by over 2 million users in just 5 years. [tweet this]

Employees and employers alike value the benefits offered by telemedicine.

And this demand has not gone unnoticed.

A recent survey found nearly all large employers (96%) plan to make telehealth services available in states where it is allowed by 2019.

If you’re an employer who is still on the fence or not quite sure if it’s the right fit for your organization, here are 5 reasons why you should consider offering telemedicine.

1. Better Access to Health Care

Although telemedicine began over 40 years ago, advances in technology has increased the ability for patients, especially the 20% of Americans living in rural areas, to have access to healthcare.

Your employees living in rural areas can utilize telehealth for quicker and more convenient access to certified specialists.

And that’s a big deal when you consider how few specialists are available for these individuals.

Telemedicine gives all your employees access to healthcare that is high in quality and convenience.

2. Cost Effective

One of the top benefits for an employer providing telehealth is the reduction in cost for healthcare services.

Telemedicine has repeatedly shown to reduce healthcare costs for business owners. Tools such as remote patient monitoring technologies, and at-home triage services reduce unnecessary ER visits.

As well, patients are no longer obligated to drive for their healthcare needs.

This all equates to a reduced utilization of having to use insurance benefits.

On average, 20% of people visit the emergency room at least once a year. The vast majority of emergency room are unnecessary and costly to employers.

The average teladoc visit costs around $50 on average. When you compare this cost to the average expense of an unnecessary emergency or urgent care visit, the savings for your business are substantial.

For example, based on past claims, one insurer found that the average cost of treatment for a common condition like bronchitis was $250 for urgent care and more than $1,000 for emergency care.

3. Reduced Absenteeism

Telemedicine could also potentially boost productivity and reduce absenteeism of your employees.

The average wait time for a routine doctor’s appointment (including drive time) is just over 2 hours. This is not always doable for employees who work long hours or do not have the option to visit a doctor during the workday.

Telemedicine provides the opportunity quickly receive healthcare services at the best available time for him or her.

The end result is far fewer employees delaying treatment or having limited access to healthcare services during the day.

4. Convenience

Teladoc is available 24 hours a day and utilizes simple technology to connect physicians with patients.

This allows for your workforce to utilize this benefit at any time or place.

Employees can access this care with a simple call to a designated telemedicine hotline or he or she can login to a communication-based portal to speak to a physician.

Most services start with a questionnaire or a conversation with a live nurse to determine the nature of the visit. From there,a board-certified physician will diagnose and treat the patient, or, if the condition is severe, direct them to where they can get immediate care.

Telemedicine doctors are able to prescribe medications for a wide range of conditions. This results in your workforce receiving the right care, at the right time, at the right price.

This means your workforce receives treatment that is fast, of high quality, and convenient for their schedule.

5. Demand Amongst Millennials

Millennials make up the largest population in the workforce today, and will represent half the American workforce by 2020. Offering benefits that matter to this generation are important for the future of your company.

Telehealth happens to be heavily favored by the majority of this demographic. One Salesforce study found that 60% of millennials support telehealth replacing in-office visits.

In addition, 74% of millennials prefer booking a virtual healthcare appointment versus a face-to-face visit (source).

Employers looking to compete for the best workers will no longer be able to overlook this quality benefit.

Conclusion

Providing telemedicine comes with a variety of benefits that can save you and your employees both time and money. The average savings for a single employee is around $300, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).

It’s important to remember, however, that telemedicine is not meant to take away from utilizing a primary care physician. Its purpose is to work as an extension of the primary care physician.