This open enrollment season, health insurance brokers have theirhands full.

From helping employers navigate rising health care costs, to competing withdirect-to-employer HR software companies, it’s understandablethat a broker’s job can seem very overwhelming at times.

With telemedicine undoubtedly a part of health care’s future, it is important forbrokers to understand this service in order to provide the properguidance and support needed. When implemented properly,telemedicine can help brokers, HR admins, business owners, andtheir employees.

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What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is a service that allows healthcare professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients inremote locations using telecommunications technology.

Also referred to as “telehealth,” this service allowsindividuals to see a doctor within minutes of making an appointmentfrom their phone, laptop, or tablet.

As telemedicine is technically not insurance, many regulationsthat make insurance complicated, such as pre-existing conditionsand network restrictions, do not apply.

Enabled by the mobile revolution of recent years, Telemedicinehas seen a dramatic increase in usage.

Now mainstream, it’s a service that faced questions aboutlegality and capability just five years ago. Legal in 48 states and the District ofColumbia, telemedicine is no longer a concept of thefuture—it’s a major player in today’s health system, from allviews, including employers.

Why is telemedicine important for brokers, employers, andemployees, alike?

For brokers, including telemedicine in their benefits packageswill keep them relevant.

Offering telemedicine shows employers that the broker they workwith understands and supports the ways in which the health carelandscape is evolving.

With many other brokers already going this route, it is crucialto make to stay ahead of the curve and not be the last one at thetable.

Employers are looking for benefits that complement anincreasingly millennial and remote workforce.

And, with research telling us that over 28% ofmillennials don’t have a primary doctor and 40% don’t have arelationship with their primary care physician, it is likely thattelemedicine is a health care service they prefer and will demandfrom their employers.

Offering telemedicine builds loyalty between brokers and theirgroups.

For example, what if an employee goes on vacation and usestelemedicine to speak with an out-of-network doctor? Astelemedicine allows employees to be seen quickly and safely whenremote, chances are they will report back to an employer about howthe service made them feel secure, protected, and healthy.

The employer then tells the broker how grateful they are foroffering a service that keeps employees health prioritiestop-of-mind, building overall trust.

How should health insurance brokers offer telemedicine?

It is recommended that brokers effectively communicate thebenefits of telemedicine to employers in order for both them andtheir employees to adopt the service.

With purposeful messaging, health insurance brokers can ensurethat they are relaying the benefits of adding telemedicine and thusmaking sure HR admins, business owners, and their employees aresuccessfully utilizing it so they keep it for years to come.

A few key points for health insurance brokers to keep in mindwhen offering this service to groups:

1. Telemedicine reduces absenteeism and improvesproductivity
   
   With employees no longer needing to travel and waitin doctor’s offices for routine visits, they can spend more time atwork.

2. Telemedicine helps attract new talent
   
   With an increasingly remote workforce, people arelooking for healthcare that’s as flexible as their job. Employerscan attract new talent with flexible benefit options liketelemedicine.

3. Telemedicine improves access to care
   
   Employees don’t need access to a car or to even bein a specific network to use telemedicine. Receive quality timewith a doctor no matter the location.

4. Telemedicine provides relief foremployees
   
   As telemedicine isn’t technically insurance, itprovides employees with a part-time escape from thoseever-increasing copays.

As employers continue to look to their brokers for moreinformation about telemedicine, it is a service that brokers can nolonger afford not to offer their groups.

Being able to explain how to gain increased access, includinghow to get started, how to keep employees happy, and howtelemedicine can help cut costs in an industry of high deductibles,will be key during open enrollment season.

Telemedicine is something health insurance groups are lookingfor, (and if they aren’t, they will be soon) as it has greatbenefits and advantages to help them and their employees.