Telemedicine offerings on the rise by third party administrators

Telemedicine offerings on the rise by third party administrators (TPA’s) as self-funded employers prepare for the high costs associated with health care reform. This unconventional approach to patient-doctor visits is using the latest technology to avoid many unnecessary trips for urgent care, and offering people a new level of convenience and flexibility.

People’s needs for anytime medical care are expanding as their lives get busier, and so too are the conveniences offered through today’s telemedicine model. The overwhelming theme of the feedback we receive is that this non-traditional approach to patient-doctor visits offers more convenience and flexibility than ever. These consults help with everything from those recurring sinus conditions to the flu-like symptoms that pop up while you’re traveling. There are so many advantages to being able to talk directly to a physician whenever the need arises.

What is Telemedicine, Exactly?

As third-party administrators continue to focus on containing costs for their members, they are always looking for smart, economical ways to enhance their employee benefit offerings, and increasingly they are finding that telemedicine services are proving to be successful on all levels.

Telemedicine offerings on the rise by third party administrators

Due to health care reform and the costs associated with it, many third party administrators (TPA’s) are searching for solutions to help their self-funded clients. As a result of rising health care costs, telemedicine has emerged as a hot solution, and now the entire health care market has caught on to its efficiency and convenience to handle medical issues in an easier, faster, and more cost-effective setting.

According to the American Telemedicine Association, at least 10 million people already benefit from telemedicine technologies. “And that will double in the next 18 months,” says Jonathan Linkous, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association in Washington, D.C. and over 400,000 patients made use of online doctor services. Additionally, over half of all large employers expect to offer new access points for health care delivery in 2014, such as telemedicine and worksite kiosks.

Third party administrators searching for cost saving methods for their clients have discovered many benefits with telemedicine:

• It provides best in class health care services to their self-funded clients
• It drives immediate value and savings for the TPA’s clients

Additionally, the benefits for the self-funded clients are significant:

• Telemedicine reduces the company’s healthcare costs
• Eliminates barriers to maintenance medications (time, cost & convenience)
• Telemedicine increases employee utilization

To find out how AllyHealth is working with third party administrators and can possibly work with you, contact our sales team today.