If their telemedicine visit doesn’t cost anything, employees are more likely to give it a chance and keep using it. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Why in the world are we still talking about telemedicine the same way we have for the last five or so years? With 90 percent of large employers expected to offer it to their employees in 2019, I’m pretty sure clients get the gist and you may feel as though the box is checked. Yet, I still have conversations weekly that lead to a refreshed approach.
I propose we have a different conversation about telemedicine. Here are six ways to move the conversation from what telemedicine is and why your clients should offer it, to how to build an effective, successful program.
Remove the visit fee
Remove the visit fee at every opportunity. Mercer research found that groups with greater than 10 percent average utilization had a median copay of $15, compared to the less than 6 percent average utilization of groups with a $30 median copay.
If their telemedicine visit doesn’t cost anything, employees are more likely to give it a chance and keep using it. And if they really like it, they’ll spread the word.
Make it relatable
Even though telemedicine could be the perfect solution a lot of employees need, they might not understand exactly when to use it, how it saves them money, and why it’s applicable to their lives. Make the service relatable and relevant by sharing a personal story of how you used telemedicine to cure your cold on vacation or get a prescription for your kid’s nausea in the middle of the night.
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