As hybrid workplaces become more and more prevalent, the effects will keep rippling across all aspects of the business world. This includes healthcare providers, many of whom have joined telehealth companies and now offer remote services as part of their plans. This fits perfectly into the growing trend of hybrid workplaces, where some employees work remotely from home and others in a central office.
Telehealth professionals are using many of the same hybrid methods to stay connected with their patients. Investing in a telehealth program can provide many benefits for your employer-sponsored healthcare plans. When properly implemented with the right partner, they are flexible and effective, helping you save money while providing reliable healthcare for your workforce. Along with using traditional healthcare insurance, telemedicine can provide more comprehensive coverage and enhanced accessibility for your employees. But achieving the benefits that telehealth companies offer requires planning to ensure it will work for your particular business.
Self-Insured vs. Fully-Funded Plans for Cost Savings
As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, businesses face a dilemma. How can they offset prices without skimping on providing great healthcare for their workers? This typically leaves companies to choose between fully-funded health plans and self-insured plans. Fully-funded plans are the traditional method, in which the business pays a premium to an insurance carrier. On the other hand, self-insured plans require the business to assume the health plan’s administration and risks.
Both offerings have benefits and drawbacks, especially when it comes to the overall cost. The right plan for your business depends on your specific needs—which is where telehealth companies can help.
Fully-funded health plans work because they cover everything in one simple payment. There’s no need to spend time on logistics or covering costs if something unexpected happens. Most companies have other uses for such resources, and the savings make it an attractive option. The downside is that such systems tend to be very rigid: they limit what is covered and require you to go to specific doctors and clinics. Depending on the treatment involved, this can raise costs and leave employees stranded with an unwieldy system that doesn’t provide the care they need.
Meanwhile, with a self-insured plan, you have to devote resources to paying out costs if your employees need medical care. It requires more effort on your part, as all of the work typically taken on by insurance carriers becomes yours to handle. On the plus side, it allows for more flexibility in the kind of coverage you can provide. You’ll also avoid spending money on the premiums required by a fully-funded healthcare plan.
Telehealth companies play an important role in both fully-funded and self-insured plans. A remote doctor’s visit can help save on time and expenses, allowing for more resources to be directed at patients who require greater care. Many state governments are focusing on expanding telehealth options in their various healthcare programs. They are also looking to incorporate it into laws regarding licensing and out-of-state consultations. States are similarly requiring that fully-insured private plans include coverage of telemedicine services equivalent to that of in-person care.
Government agencies are looking into telehealth coverage for the same reasons as private businesses. Telehealth companies help save costs without losing efficiency, allowing people to receive the care they need at a reduced cost. This also applies to both fully-covered and self-insured plans. It’s important to look for telehealth providers with no copays or consultation fees. If you use a fully-covered healthcare option, make sure your telehealth providers report to them. When choosing a telehealth plan, it’s helpful to start small and then expand as needed to encompass your employees’ needs.
Building and Monitoring Relationship with Your Partner Telehealth Companies
When examining telehealth options for your particular plan, it’s important to maintain a close relationship with your telehealth company. This can help make sure you know all of the services they provide, including mental health treatments and urgent care visits. Encourage your workers to use any and all telehealth services once they’re in place.
They’ll receive access to medical help that can then prevent their given conditions or ailments from getting worse. This in turn helps keep costs down while still giving your workers the full range of care they need. A strong relationship with your telehealth provider can help facilitate that, as well as ensure you take full advantage of the services they provide.
Find A Telehealth Solution With Doctegrity Today
Healthcare costs are the biggest impediment to providing your business with solid, reliable medical services. Providing the flexibility and cost-effectiveness you need to get the coverage you want, telehealth companies are the solution to that problem.
If you’re looking for a provider who understands you want the best telehealth coverage for your team, Doctegrity may be right for you. We provide telehealth solutions for up to 75% of common ailments, helping patients quickly receive preventative care and ensuring a happier, healthier workforce as a result. Contact us today to set up an appointment. We’ll show you how our services provide a solution for all of your telehealth needs!
