Prioritizing a Healthy Workforce: Why Virtual Care Should Be in Your Employee Benefits Package

December 22nd, 2023 | 4 min. read

Virtual care has revolutionized how organizations can foster a healthy workforce, which can in turn increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve morale and job satisfaction. Being able to access Advanced Primary Care with the addition of virtual health services ensures that remote workers – or those who live far from a care center – can overcome the barriers of the old, traditional, outdated care model, like long waiting room times, traffic getting to and from appointments, poor patient-provider relationships, or needing to take time off work for routine check-ups.

Embracing the shift toward virtual care is a smart decision that pays off in the long run, giving you a competitive edge that means you’re better able to attract and retain top talent who value flexibility and wellness initiatives in the workplace.

The rise - and importance - of virtual care

Virtual care has become an essential component in how companies offer complete care today.

The concept of virtual care isn’t new – it’s actually been around for decades. But its relevance skyrocketed over the last several years as we navigated the pandemic and virtual care became an even more enticing option. Research suggests the novelty isn’t going to wear off any time soon.

State of virtual care and employee expectations

The digital transformation to virtual care caused a fundamental change in how people see our overall healthcare system. Today’s workforce wants benefits that meet the demands of their increasingly fast-paced lives. Given our growing reliance on technology, it’s not surprising that more than 50% of respondents in a recent Accenture survey say they expect digital capabilities in care. There’s an ROI factor, too – the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that 37% of adults in the United States used virtual care in the last year, which means your investment will pay off with increased engagement and usage. Virtual care is here to stay, and it’s an effective option for those seeking care.

6 reasons virtual care is so effective

Advancements in technology have significantly impacted everything we know – from how we work to our approach to health care. Virtual care is part of this new reality. It’s an effective and essential component in creating a healthier workforce. In a vast overview of studies, providers and patients overwhelmingly had a positive reaction to virtual care – and when added as additional value to the Advanced Primary Care you already offer employees, its efficacy is undeniable.

1. Cost efficiency and accessibility

Virtual care brings medical help right to your fingertips. Studies show that outcomes are as good as in-person care, which means it can reduce the chance for further, more costly complications down the line if health concerns are otherwise ignored. Not only can it prevent future care costs, but research shows that virtual care costs less than in-person.

It’s not just about saving money, though. It’s also about increasing accessibility. For employees who can’t access Advanced Primary Care centers, offering virtual care might be the difference between them seeking care and not.

2. Boosted employee wellness

A healthy employee is a happy one, but sometimes juggling work commitments with medical appointments can be challenging. Prevention is critical in boosting wellness, and when our virtual care solution CareAnywhere^TM is added to Advanced Primary Care, employees who can’t access your convenient care centers can still get the support they need, so everyone on your team can achieve optimal wellness.

3. Improved employee productivity

Poor health has long been linked to reduced productivity. Virtual consultations and care allow employees to seek advice without losing precious working hours – it’s a win-win for productivity.

4. Ability to attract top talent

In today’s competitive job market, perks matter. Glassdoor’s Employment Confidence Survey found that 4 out of 5 employees prefer stellar benefits to a pay raise. Offering access to quality health care anytime, anywhere can give you an edge over competitors when you’re trying to recruit top talent.

5. Enhanced employee retention

Let’s face it: people stick around when they’re happy. In fact, some research finds that almost 80% of workers view competitive benefits packages as a top priority, and 63% say benefits are a leading factor they consider before accepting a job. Offering virtual care as part of your benefits package is a sign you value your team’s health and well-being, which can build loyalty and improve retention rates.

6. Flexibility with work-life balance

According to research, the modern workforce values flexibility and wants to work for organizations that prioritize work-life balance – this extends to care benefits, too. Some studies conclude that work-life balance should be one of the most essential priorities for human resource managers today. Access to virtual care means employees who can’t get to your onsite or nearsite care center can still maintain a better work-life balance overall.

Make virtual care an essential part of your health benefits package

Offering virtual care as part of your employee benefits package is a strategic move with undeniably positive outcomes.

A healthy workforce is a productive one. By providing convenient access to care services, employees are more likely to address health issues promptly, which can reduce your total cost of care, improve job satisfaction, increase retention rates, and so much more. Virtual care offers employees peace of mind knowing that help is always accessible.

The best minds often look beyond salary and other financial perks; they want an employer who cares about their well-being. Ensuring access to high-quality care benefits shows you’re committed to more than just professional success – you’re also dedicated to your teams’ personal health.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207141/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9035352/

https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/health/todays-consumers-reveal-future-healthcare

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db445.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8544348/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9905429/

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.1130

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3128441/

https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/ecs-q3-2015/

https://www.inflectionhr.com/blog/top-7-employee-benefits-for-improved-employee-retention

https://www.glassdoor.com/employers/blog/salary-benefits-survey/