| Virtual health care emerged out of necessity during the pandemic, forcing doctors and patients to adapt to a new way of providing care. However, as the offices of medical providers began to open again, virtual care didn’t disappear. We talked to Earl Shindruk, President of Optimax Benefits, and asked him what the emergence of virtual health care means for the benefits industry. |
| Virtual care was not actively utilized prior to the pandemic. Now that most people have experienced it at least once, what are you hearing in terms of acceptance? Earl: We’re hearing a lot of positives. People are much more comfortable doing things remotely since the pandemic started, and now that they’ve had success with it, they aren’t in a rush to go back to the way things were pre-pandemic. We recently saw a survey from south of the border that indicated 91% of people who had tried virtual health care would try it again. Acceptance is also trending high in Canada and it’s not just the younger age groups. If people are accepting the idea of virtual health care, what does this mean for organizations that want to incorporate it into their benefits strategy? Earl: Most employers assess their benefits plan annually to ensure their plan fits into the vision the organization has for employee care. Being able to include virtual care may allow them to offer the same coverage or enhanced coverage at a lower cost. The key is sitting down with your benefits broker to see what new options are available. Cost is an important aspect of the equation, but the advantages go beyond dollars and cents. What are some of the other benefits? Earl: There are obvious benefits for employees, the key being convenience, not having to take an afternoon off to travel to a doctor’s office or spend an hour in a crowded waiting room. Virtual health care also means access to knowledge or programs that may not be available in your area. This could be a huge advantage for organizations that employ individuals who live in smaller centres or rural Alberta. What do we see in the future of virtual health care? Earl: As you would expect, there are many Canadian companies focused on exciting innovations in the virtual delivery of health care and wellness. There are hundreds of apps that currently exist to monitor a variety of conditions – these are becoming more sophisticated and interactive, and will continue to play a larger role in an individual’s ability to monitor and manage their own health. We’ll also see innovations and advancements in wearable devices that connect patients to health providers. Artificial Intelligence is becoming a factor to assist doctors in providing more informed recommendations and diagnoses. Looking forward There will always be occasions in which patients and doctors need to be face to face; but virtual health care can effectively handle a multitude of other situations with an efficiency of cost and time. And, as good as virtual health care is now, it will continue to improve. As innovations become incorporated intro traditional health care, benefits providers continue to offer new opportunities and coverage packages. With all its benefits, virtual health care is here to stay. Patients have found it to be a friendly personal experience, while medical caregivers are able to detect serious illnesses earlier and make more informed decisions. Virtual health care helps your organization stay competitive and gives your employees every advantage to stay healthy, which is a win for them and a win for your workplace. Ultimately, it provides coverage that is equitable and comprehensive while offering a positive, satisfying experience for everyone involved. Stay in touch with your benefits broker to find out how you can utilize the flexibility of virtual health care to maximize the coverage to your employees. Health care delivery is in the process of being reinvented and Optimax would like to help you thrive on the cutting edge of coverage. Photo courtesy of Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels |
