7 Benefits of Virtual Care for Your Workforce

The benefits of virtual care have become indisputable in recent years – especially as the world adapted to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual care can generate better results for patients and providers while cutting the overall cost of care for employers. 

In today’s competitive market, human resources and benefits managers face a daunting challenge – keeping up with the competition by offering stellar, comprehensive benefits packages while staying within tight budgets. Offering virtual healthcare services that build on Marathon Health's Advanced Primary Care model can help. Integrating virtual care benefits into your organization’s health plan can reduce costs, improve employee satisfaction, enhance productivity, and help you attract and retain top talent. 

Virtual care offers several benefits – learn the top 7 here.

Virtual health care explained

Virtual care is delivered through secure technology – including video conferencing, phone calls, text, and secure messaging platforms – allowing people to access care from the ease of their own homes safely and conveniently while eliminating the need to go to a physical healthcare facility. 

It’s important to note that Marathon Health’s virtual care for employers isn't a standalone service – it works best when  combined with the Advanced Primary Care core solution.

The role of Advanced Primary Care

Advanced Primary Care (APC) is an innovative approach to primary care that delivers personalized, proactive, and coordinated care. With APC, people receive tailored treatment plans based on individual health needs and goals. The model emphasizes preventive measures and early intervention strategies to reduce the risk of costly chronic conditions or complications arising from untreated health issues. Predictive analytics provide powerful data and insights to help you make informed decisions that can optimize ROI.  

When enhanced with virtual health options, you can provide high-quality care services that meet the needs of all employees, ensuring continuity of care between online consultations and in-person visits. Advanced Primary Care from Marathon Health offers:

• Predictable cost and savings: A predictable per-member per-month pricing structure makes cost easy to anticipate, and year-over-year cost savings ensure a positive ROI.  
• Data-driven insights: Advanced analytics tools help identify potential risks among employees early on, so they can receive timely interventions.
• Dedicated team-based support: A care team of physicians, nurses, and other specialists ensures holistic management of every aspect related to employee wellness programs.

• Patient-centered approach: Focusing on individual patient needs enables better engagement and improved outcomes, with customized treatment plans and prevention strategies based on personal preference, lifestyle, and need.

7 benefits of virtual care for employers and the workforce

In today’s competitive business landscape, you need excellent perks – like providing access to virtual care for employees who live too far to get to an onsite or near site care center  – to bring in and keep the best talent. The truth is employees today expect virtual care benefits.  

Incorporating virtual care into your benefits packages can enhance your Advanced Primary Care offering and offers numerous benefits, including: 

1. Reduced Healthcare Costs

Implementing virtual care benefits can help organizations reach significant savings. Virtual care can reduce costs by making care more accessible and promoting preventive care. Recent studies suggest it’s a major opportunity to save on an organization’s total cost of care.

2. Convenient Access

Employees can consult with healthcare professionals without taking time off work or traveling long distances for appointments. The convenience of having access to care from anywhere is one of the top benefits of virtual care. It also enhances employee satisfaction, and encourages people to seek the medical attention they need.

3. Increased Access to Care

Another major benefit of virtual care is it eliminates geographical barriers, so even employees in remote locations or those with limited mobility still have access to quality services.  

4. Improved Health Outcomes

The early intervention and continuous monitoring enabled by virtual care leads to outcomes that are as good as or better than usual care, according to research from the National Library of Medicine. Virtual care can improve patient outcomes because people are more likely to follow treatment plans when they can access their providers remotely.  

5. Boosted Morale

Offering virtual care shows a commitment to employee well-being, leading to increased job satisfaction and loyalty.  

6. Talent Attraction and Retention

Candidates often expect cutting-edge benefits like virtual health care from potential employers. In one study, 40% of Millennials and 27% of Gen Xers stated that virtual care options are “extremely or very important.” Further, more than 70% of the 3 youngest generations (Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z) prefer virtual care due to its convenience. By offering this service alongside Marathon’s core Advanced Primary Care as part of your employee retention strategies, your organization be better positioned to attract – and keep – exceptional talent who value comprehensive health coverage options.  

7. Reduced Absenteeism and Improved Productivity

Recent research suggests that absenteeism costs employers an estimated $2,600 - $3,600 annually. Virtual consultations allow employees to quickly address health concerns, reducing absenteeism and minimizing disruption to productivity.  

Virtual care as a Complete Care solution with Marathon Health

You can offer comprehensive healthcare solutions that cater to the diverse needs of employees by integrating virtual care with CareAnyware alongside Marathon Health’s Advanced Primary Care. This means you can provide a total care solution that addresses every employee’s health concerns and ensures better outcomes for your workforce.

Getting Started  

Providing convenient access to high-quality medical care is a win-win. It empowers employees to take control of their well-being while reducing your total cost of care. Start exploring the possibilities this innovative approach offers today.

1. Analyze your needs: Assess specific needs by doing surveys and reviewing existing data related to employee satisfaction levels with current benefit offerings.
2. Select a reputable provider: Partner with a trusted provider – like Marathon Health – to ensure access to high-quality virtual care benefits that’s backed by years of experience that results in exceptional patient experiences.
3. Create a customized plan: Develop a tailored virtual care plan that complements Advanced Primary Care to address the employee’s needs for those who live too far to access your onsite or near site care center. 
4. Communicate the benefits: Share the benefits of virtual care with your workforce – convenience, accessibility, and improved health outcomes. Highlight how they align with your Advanced Primary Care model to create a comprehensive healthcare solution for all employees.
5. Monitor and evaluate: Regularly solicit and review feedback and data to ensure your virtual care plan is meeting your expectations and delivering positive results. The unparalleled analytics and predictive data MarathonHealth offers make the process simple and effective.

Marathon Health offers comprehensive virtual care solution for employers that can meet your organization’s needs, so you can provide employees with access to high-quality medical professionals when, where, and how they need it.

Contact us to Learn more about integrating virtual care into your Advanced Primary Care plan today.