Healthcare plans

Firms are delaying, shortening or making virtual their internship programs this summer as efforts to slow the pandemic around the world leave employees working from home.

The growing costs faced by today’s health care purchasers and plan members have many returning to proven strategies like V-BID, which lowers or eliminates the out-of-pocket cost for high-value services or medications.

There is wide variety in how aggressively the rules are issued and applied during the coronavirus pandemic, and businesses often don’t know which way to turn.

Employers in three metropolitan areas will have access to the cost-saving health plan.

Public health specialists said a range of tools, high-tech strategies and old-school public health interventions could help tamp down the spread of COVID-19.

Telehealth can meet the need for both expanded healthcare resources and for avoidance of in-person contact that may promote disease transmission.

Within the bill are several important provisions affecting employers, including requirements for coverage of COVID-19 testing and treatments, as well as the potential impact to group health plans.

Without the ability to catch early signs of burnout, employers may miss important cues as workers struggle with anxiety and stress.

“Short-term telehealth options make it possible for businesses to navigate a very uncertain time,” says Bill Goodwin, CEO of telehealth provider MeMD.