Virtual care use differs by gender, location, industry
Workers in areas such as health care and education were the most likely to have a virtual care visit.
A new study looks at how virtual care, also known as telehealth, is being used by employees in group health plans as the pandemic fades. The study noted concerns that there has been a drop-off in telehealth use, but that in-person care is still not at pre-pandemic levels. The resulting gap in care may mean that employees are not getting adequate health care, and that preventable disease may increase as a result.
The report by the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) analyzed data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey and the 2021 Household Pulse Survey. It found that although there was a nationwide surge in the use of virtual care during the pandemic, only 20% of employees used virtual care in 2021, and that number declined as the year went on.
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The study revealed disparities in care, based on gender, geographic area, and type of employment. “The data show us how different groups use telehealth and how use and access vary greatly among employees,” said lead researcher Nicole Nicksic, PhD. “While differences from location to education were expected, employers can help alleviate those disparities and ensure employees have equitable access to health care, including telehealth options. Including telehealth in a primary care model to improve individual health is an important next step.”
Variables in virtual care utilization
The study outlined a range of variables in how employees used virtual care. It found that workers in areas such as health care and education were the most likely to have a virtual care visit, those in industries such as retail sales and hospitality were among the least likely to have a virtual health care visit.
Virtual care use was highest among workers who were diagnosed with COVID-19 (56.8%) and anxiety and/or depression (54.7%).
More women than men utilized virtual care. Workers in urban areas were more likely to have virtual visits than those in rural areas. Younger workers—those 18 to 24 years old—and workers with a high school education or less were the least likely to use virtual care.
Lessons for employers
The IBI researchers said there several takeaways for employers seeking to ensure their workers continued to include virtual care among their health care options.
The study said there are some benefits to using a national vendor for virtual care, including efficiency of care if an employer has a national footprint.
The report also stressed the importance of data to help determine the best use of virtual care. In addition, a whole-person approach to health care can use virtual care to give employees a full range of health care options, including behavioral health, which continues to be in-demand. The report recommended keeping employee education efforts focused, concise, and intentional.
“It’s clear that virtual care is here to stay,” said IBI President Kelly McDevitt. “Employers should study their virtual care data closely to assure that their goals are being met. Ask basic questions: Which populations are using it the most/least? Are you filling network inadequacies with virtual options? Are you eliminating financial, geographic, or ethnic barriers to care with virtual options? Are members using national vendors (if offered), or their own doctors? Does using virtual care improve leaves or PTO usage? Without firm data to support the strategy on an ongoing basis, there may be lost value on investment.”
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