Do you value telehealth as a cost-containment tool? 

Employers see the benefit as a valid strategy to provide access to quality care and offset increasing costs. However, as the solution is adopted and implemented, if you’re not getting an ROI, have you really solved the problem?

So, how do you get true ROI from telehealth? The answer is simple: you make sure it gets used! The tactics to get usage aren’t always that simple. When telehealth is strategically implemented, it will divert claims from the health plan, thereby delivering a positive ROI.

Based on our freshbenies experience, we're sharing three keys to driving telehealth utilization to deliver real savings…

1. Education, education, education 

This is hands-down a must-have. Both at the point of installation and with ongoing messaging, the end user needs to understand two key things: 1) how easy the service is to use and 2) how it will save them money. Really, who can’t use more of that in their lives? 

Sharing real stories from members is one simple and impactful way to educate. Ongoing communication that highlights how and when to use the services is another. In a survey from our freshbenies members, over 50% reported convenience and ease of use as their favorite thing about our services. Education is the key to encourage members to experience the benefit and its value. Without it, employees won’t engage.

2. Effective plan design 

Multiple studies - as well as our own utilization numbers - show that if you charge members a fee at the time of service, it has a dramatically negative impact on their willingness to try it. How much? Studies vary, but plans will see between 50% and 400% more visits if they install a plan with $0 cost per visit, rather than a standard $45 cost per visit.

It only makes sense, right? How likely are you to try a service for the first time if it won’t cost you anything, versus if there’s a fee associated with it? That first use is critical and a plan designed with a low or no additional fee removes a major barrier. 

3. Delivery - the key driver

Let’s be honest. A program delivered as just one more embedded piece of the health plan – and that isn’t really promoted - is not going to drive great usage. You not only lose the member engagement piece due to lack of education, you lose the effectiveness of the plan design. Embedded carrier plans get 2% average utilization and stand-alone telehealth programs typically get about 7%. Compare that to a solution with a comprehensive delivery strategy like freshbenies that gets an AVERAGE 58% telehealth use.

If the method of delivery doesn’t drive use, you lose the value of truly removing claims from the health plan. And, you fail to deliver employees much-needed access to care along with out-of-pocket cost savings. The key to deliver your clients real savings is to find a partner who provides all 3 of the key components to drive employee engagement. 

BONUS: Click here to download a checklist of top Telehealth questions you should ask to identify the best value for your clients and their employees.  

Now it’s your turn! What successes have you seen with telehealth as a strategic part of the health plan strategy? How and when do you bring it into the renewal conversation? Comment below or email us at brokers@freshbenies.com.