Accident & Health

What is telemedicine and how can it benefit your business?

stethoscope on keyboard

For many businesses, telemedicine can provide fast, convenient, and affordable care for workplace injuries and illnesses. They can also improve their handling of workplace health coverage claims—and potentially lower costs—provided telemedicine is offered as an option for medical treatment by their workplace health coverage plan.

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine refers to the practice of caring for patients remotely when the provider and patient are not physically present to meet with each other. A patient in one location can connect to a doctor, nurse, physical therapist or other healthcare provider in another location through a smart phone, tablet, or computer.

telehealth visit

The benefits of telemedicine

  • Availability — The best telemedicine services can connect workers with healthcare providers 24/7/365. Telemedicine can also make consultations with specialists possible from remote areas.
  • Rapid and Convenient On-site Care — Telemedicine enables minor workplace injuries to be quickly triaged and often treated right from the workplace. Physical therapists can provide exercise, postural instructions, and monitor rehabilitation progress, even check on employees while they’re at work.
  • Affordability — Telemedicine visits cost significantly less than office appointments, urgent care, and emergency room visits. In addition to directly lowering treatment costs, telemedicine can help reduce unnecessary urgent care or emergency visits and improve claims accuracy and management.
  • Faster Recovery — Telemedicine can put an injured worker on the fast track to recovery. A worker can be quickly treated and placed on a recovery plan—and may never have to leave work. Faster recovery can also increase productivity and cut the duration of a workers compensation case.

 

Keep in mind that telemedicine is not appropriate for serious injuries and cannot replace emergency room care. Some employees may prefer to receive medical care at a doctor’s office or healthcare facility even when telemedicine is an option.

 

Should your business decide to consider telehealth services for employees, it is important to choose a provider that is in full compliance with current applicable Telehealth Provincial and Federal regulations and laws.

Insights and expertise

We keep you informed — and your business protected — with these helpful articles.
drafting tools
Business Insurance Basics
What is professional liability or E&O insurance?
Learn why it’s critical for your professional services firm to carry coverage against customer claims for financial losses stemming from your services.
female business consultant in office
Workplace
Preventing and responding to workplace violence
Key actions can help your organization limit the risk of workplace violence.
stethoscope on keyboard
Accident & Health
Staying Ahead of the Curve: How Mental Health Initiatives Improve Talent Acquisition and Attraction
In the ever-evolving landscape of talent acquisition and attraction, businesses must constantly strive to stay ahead of the curve. In recent years, a new factor has emerged as a critical competitive advantage: mental health initiatives.

Get a Quote

Contact a broker today.