Virtual healthcare services have exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, in both the public healthcare system and the private sector. Even as the crisis passes, expectations will likely grow for 24/7 remote access to healthcare providers and related services.
If you’d like to add virtual care to your health benefits plan or facilitate access for your employees, contact your benefits advisor. We have partnered with EQ CARE, a Canadian virtual care provider that coordinates care for a wide range of non-emergency health conditions, from scratchy throats and fever to chronic disease management. EQ Care can also send prescriptions direct to the pharmacy and take care of referrals to specialists and follow-up tests.
Our partnership with EQ Care includes special pricing for our clients.
On the broader topic of digital health solutions, check out recent research by the Canadian Medical Association. Its 2019 report, THE FUTURE OF CONNECTED HEALTH CARE, provides an expansive review of how Canadians’ view the use of technology in the delivery of healthcare services. On the topic of virtual care, two-thirds of respondents are interested in consulting with physicians or pharmacists through a virtual platform. Interestingly, the result is the same whether they would consult with their own physician (66%) or any physician (67%). However, results also point to concerns over privacy and governments’ slow movement to adopt virtual care (keeping in mind the survey was conducted well before the COVID-19 pandemic).
This article is part of The Benefits Alliance Take 5 for Health Benefits. Take 5 is a quarterly initiative that provides a deeper look a the employee benefits space by providing examples, research and case studies on what’s working for employers in Canada.