Telehealth

“Although it is becoming increasingly clear the world will get through this difficult time, it is also apparent that the future will not look like the past,” said Brighid Courtney, director of Wellable Labs.

What will happen when patients finally feel comfortable returning to their healthcare providers’ offices? One survey projects a possible 5.3% increase in health plan costs for large employers in 2021.

With access to in-person support limited during COVID, digital treatment platforms like Quit Genius can help employees with drug and alcohol addictions seek the help they need.

The large self-insured healthcare provider network added new regions and partnered with programs to help consumers cope with quarantine challenges.

The pandemic forced many companies to allow employees to work from home, which created new challenges for employers and their workforce.

More than half of employees report feeling lonely while working from home, which impacts productivity, job performance and retention.

With the holiday season approaching, employees may be indulging more and focusing less. An employer-provided nutrition program can help workers practice healthy habits.

Benefits are undergoing transformational change under the COVID-19 era, and what used to be a standard package 20 years ago may now be inadequate.

In a year like no other, employers stepped up to provide employees with much-needed support for child care, mental and physical health and financial wellness.

These changes have the potential to impact employee benefits for years to come.

“The urgency has never been greater than it is now to provide holistic mental health services,” says Joe Grasso, clinical director of partnerships at Lyra Health.

“New tools can help employees decide which plan is best for them, and where they can go to get the highest quality, lowest cost care for both procedures and prescriptions,” says Chelsey Koster.

Visits to healthcare clinics are trending well below their pre-coronavirus levels, setting the stage for increased future health issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted employee use of telehealth services, giving employers an opportunity to reduce healthcare costs while simultaneously expanding offerings.

While it does not solve all problems, virtual care offers a highly flexible, low resource approach that, with many patients, can deliver a positive care experience with equal or better quality at lower cost.

A new partnership aims to support safe returns to the workplace through FDA-authorized testing.

The insurance companies plan to launch a new health plan in Q4 to help employers recuperate from COVID-19 losses.

Around 63% of workers say their company could do more to support their emotional and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within this group, 22% said their company’s response was “barely adequate,” “a disaster” or “non-existent.”

Now is a time for HR managers to reassess healthcare plans and make important changes, health insurance expert says.