Access to virtual care is a growing new benefit that we see being added to many plans
By: Bill Zolis
The first time that I ran across the term “in-person medical appointment,” I have to admit that I didn’t give it a second thought.
That just shows you how far we’ve come in a fairly short time. “Virtual medical appointment” – the other side of the coin – has quickly become the go-to option for a great many patients for a wide variety of health care needs.
According to a report from the Canadian Medical Association, approximately 40% of all health care visits in Canada are now virtual – sometimes by phone, more often by video conference. That number seems to have been kick-started by the Covid pandemic: it had grown steadily over the preceding decade to between 10% and 20% by 2019, before the pandemic, and jumped to 60% in 2020 at the height of the lockdown before settling back down to 40% in 2021.
These numbers represent mainstream, traditional medicine in Canada. As one explanation I read described it, virtual medicine does not replace the visit to the doctor’s office, it is the visit to the doctor’s office.
There are some limitations to what care can be delivered virtually. Sometimes the doctor has to see the patient up close, sometimes there are tests to be done, samples to be drawn. And there are some concerns about doctors staying in touch and knowing their patients – Ontario, for example, greatly limits the fee schedule for virtual visits if the doctor has not seen the patient in person in the last 12 months.
But the possibilities opened up by the technology that makes an on-line consultation both practical and within reach of most patients extend well beyond redefining the methods by which traditional care is delivered. It has opened up new possibilities, and greater access to more services.
Of particular interest to those of us in benefits management, it is quickly also becoming one of the got-to-have benefits in a comprehensive plan.
According to the 2023 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey, 29% of benefits plan sponsors say they include virtual health care access for plan members, and 34% of plan members say they have used virtual health care in the last year.
The survey also found that 68% of plan members surveyed said that they would use virtual health care if it was offered by their plans. But – to my mind, at least – the most interesting survey result was that 97% of “heavy users of benefits for mental health therapy” would use virtual health care if it was available.
As we have touched on in previous blogs, on-line mental wellness counseling – a big part of many virtual health benefits plans – is one of the key areas in which a comprehensive benefits plan can contribute to the well workplace.
Most – if not all – virtual care benefits plans include the basic services offered by a family physician, with added convenience, easier access and no wasted time in travel or the waiting-room. This benefits the employer as much as the employee by making the traditional half-day off for a doctor’s appointment much less frequent.
The easy access to care, from almost any location, especially benefits people in remote areas – not to mention the 4 million Canadians who do not have a family physician. Services generally offered include the following:
– Provide a diagnosis and care recommendations,
– Refer patients to in-person medical consultation if needed,
– Refer patients to specialists,
– Write prescriptions and have them sent to your pharmacy,
– Facilitate in-person care,
– Order and facilitate diagnostic tests, and
– Provide documentation.
Members accessing these services have the cost of the medical care covered by their provincial health insurance: it’s the service and the infrastructure that is covered by the plan.
Many benefits plans go a big step further and provide a range of mental and personal wellness options that are provided by a range of professionals.
– Video conference access to counselors
– Wellness programs that help members set and track personal health goals
– Assistance in identifying and accessing services
– Information and counseling on a wide range of issues, such as childcare, emotional well-being, finances, addiction issues, and disability management
– Some plans offer online cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT)
Certainly, the sudden growth in virtual care was driven by the pandemic, when it was the only option, except for emergencies and situations where in-person care was essential.
But, well, how’s it doing so far?
Last year’s Benefits Canada survey went a long way in answering that question. It found that 88% of plan sponsors were satisfied with their virtual health care services. An astonishing 92% of plan members described their benefits plans as good or excellent if virtual care was included. Only 69% said the same thing if virtual care was not included in their benefits.
In fact, according to the report, virtual care is now the fourth most-desired benefit, behind only prescription drug coverage, dental and vision care.
When I look at the big picture of virtual care, whether it is quick and convenient access to health care, or access to things like online wellness counseling, I think we’ve witnessed a quiet revolution of sorts. All of sudden, virtual care is here – and no one seems to be very surprised.
I’m sure that we will see more changes – and growth – in virtual care offerings through benefits plans in the next few years.
***
Ontario Employers – File Your Accessibility Compliance Report by December 31, 2023
If you are an Ontario employer with over 20 employees, you are required to file before the end of the year. This articlewas a good reminder for me.
***
I really appreciate comments, ideas, suggestions or just observations about the blog or any other topics in benefits management. I always look forward to hearing from readers. If there’s anything you want to share, please email me at bill@penmorebenefits.com.
Copyright Notice
© Penmore Benefits 2023. All rights reserved. All of the content herein is the sole property of the Penmore Benefits, and may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system – in whole or in part – without the written permission of the Penmore Benefits. Links to the originating article are permitted.
The Buzz Bits
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage in Canada
New Boxes added to the T4 & T4A slips for National Dental Plan
Leading employers are putting health within reach of all employees
54% of plan members currently live with at least one chronic condition
73% of U.S. employers could offer virtual primary care by 2026