Virtual doctor visits via telehealth are on the rise
We’ve long touted the benefits of telehealth.
These virtual doctor visits, conducted via phone or video rather than in-person, are a great way to get help for several health issues. Commonly handled diagnoses include
- Allergies
- Bronchitis
- Earache
- Sore throat
- Sinusitis
- Tobacco cessation
- Pink eye
- Strep throat
- Respiratory infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Cold & fever
- Skin rash
Telehealth Growth and the Future
The COVID-19 pandemic made this type of doctor visit a necessity, but also helped people realize more than ever their value. “Medicare visits conducted through telehealth in 2020 increased 63-fold” from the year before (HHS.gov).
Since then, virtual or phone-conducted doctor visits have continued to be prevalent and are expected to rise in the future. “In the Clinician of the Future survey, 63% agreed the majority of consultations between clinicians and patients will be remote in 10 years.” (Elsevier.com)
If that survey comes to fruition, that means that in a decade, remote visits will outnumber those in-office!
As telehealth continues to develop, the types of virtual doctor visits are expected to expand, with improved and additional services, including mental and behavioral health, diabetes care, and more.
One can’t ignore the affordable cost benefits of a telehealth plan at your company. A telehealth service can drive employees from unnecessary urgent care or ER visits that cost them money and drive up claim costs. For example, claims made through Nextep’s plan, Teladoc, don’t impact your medical plan’s overall health and can help keep your health plan cost from increasing.
To learn about these services or offer this benefit at your company, contact Nextep’s benefits team.
