How employers are side-stepping rising health care costs with virtual care

Year over year, we have seen a significant rise in costs when it comes to health care, and it’s taking a toll on employers and employees everywhere. There are a number of factors linked to the increase, including supply shortages, inflation and mounting costs associated with clinical staff, but also, more Americans are being diagnosed with chronic illnesses, according to the National Library of Medicine. Chronic illnesses affect half of the population, and the care needed to treat these conditions accounts for more than 85% of health care costs. Those with chronic conditions may only make up 1% of a company’s population, but they can account for up to 40% of its costs.

Health care benefits are one of the most important benefits an employer can offer their workforce. Providing employees with innovative benefits that include virtual care will not only help the employer to manage costs, but it will provide employees with an affordable solution that enables them to take a proactive approach when it comes to their health. With digital health solutions in place, employers can expect to see a clear difference in their workforce and in their bottom line.

Providing the means for proactivity

One of the greatest benefits of virtual care is that it empowers employees to take a more proactive approach. Take, for example, when someone becomes sick. They may head to the emergency room or to urgent care for a fast solution, even if it’s not truly an emergency or urgent issue, resulting in higher cost for the employer and the employee. While the immediate health issue may be addressed, the patient does not benefit from access to ongoing, continued care.

Alternatively, a patient might put off getting care altogether because of the inconvenience of scheduling, traveling to a doctor’s office, waiting in the waiting room, and missing work. Delaying care and not taking preventive steps to maintain health can lead to bigger issues down the road, including the potential to develop those chronic, more costly conditions.

The right digital health solution can ensure that care is delivered in the right setting – avoiding the ER and urgent care when it’s not needed – and that employees get appropriate care to treat immediate issues, preventive needs, and provide ongoing care. The right digital solutions can be used to triage, treat, and navigate patients to the right care in the right setting. Virtual solutions can be used to address emergencies, urgent needs, primary care, mental health care, chronic condition management, and more.

With virtual care, employees can be empowered with easier, more cost-effective access to care. With providers just a phone call or click away, they can avoid the long wait times and get their needs taken care of in a timely, convenient way.

When patient needs are met and a proactive approach is taken to managing health, outcomes are improved and costs are lower for the employer and for the employee.

Personalized care and support

Convenience is key, as people are used to having access and flexibility when they need and want it. We saw this expectation rise during the height of the pandemic when many had to meet with their health care providers virtually. At that time, through virtual care, 67% of patients experienced lower costs as compared to in-person visits. With virtual care, patients get dedicated, 1:1 time with a provider and care that is specifically designed around their individual needs. This is the kind of health care that patients have come to expect.

In addition to the convenience that virtual care brings, there are many other perks that can be gained from a digital health partner who aids with next steps, providing employees with guidance and help navigating the complex health care system. With care coordination, patients get assistance with referrals to in-person providers when needed, help to find in-network doctors nearby, lab testing ordered, prescriptions refilled, and more. Virtual care saves the potential hours of wait time in an emergency room and patients get immediate access in the comfort of their homes. It also keeps patients with non-urgent or emergent issues from visiting the emergency room, helping to alleviate the burden on hospitals and ERs.

Another important health matter, as we’ve witnessed in recent times, is mental health. The demand for treatment for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse, among others, rose greatly between 2020 and 2021, the American Psychological Association reports. In a post-COVID world, it is also reported that nearly all psychologists are already offering or plan to offer remote services. This kind of access will be invaluable to so many people, whether they are going through short bouts with a mental health concern, or in need of ongoing care.

With virtual care, patients can do away with Googling symptoms or waiting to see a provider. It provides consistent, quality care from experienced providers that ensure rigorous standards are met, while streamlining the triage and treatment process. Patients are reassured and cared for quickly and can feel confident about the guidance, reassurance, and care they receive. This will ultimately help to improve health, satisfaction, and encourage patients to actively engage with their health.

Benefits for everyone

It’s important to look at how this is beneficial to all parties. For example, if an employee has the capability to access their doctor quickly and virtually at any time, they can avoid future health complications and taking too much time away from work. This improves the health of the workforce, increases employee productivity, and can even aid in attracting and retaining employees.

Related: Virtual care can address rising costs of worker GI health

Simply put: What’s good for the employee is good for the employer. With immediate access at a reduced cost, virtual care supports employees 24/7 with high-quality care, whether at home, on the road, or in the office. When employees feel empowered with the ability to manage their health concerns, they are more proactive in their outreach and less likely to avoid a doctor’s visit. When they have access to routine virtual visits and around-the-clock care, convenient care, it will ultimately result in better outcomes, lower the prevalence of chronic conditions, and lower costs for everyone. Undoubtedly, this will guarantee a workforce stays healthy and working, as well as prove beneficial to a company’s bottom line.

Keith Algozzine is co-founder and CEO of UCM Digital Health.