Telehealth Solutions by Telethink
Using Telehealth To Cure Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs
Businesses can take advantage of telehealth services to mitigate the rapid rise in health insurance compliance costs
With the employer mandate still intact and healthcare reform provisions, such as the Cadillac tax, expected to continue taking effect in the coming years, many businesses are searching for ways to curb their skyrocketing health insurance costs. The Cadillac tax, a 40% non deductible excise tax on employer sponsored health insurance plans with high cost benefits, is expected to go into effect in 2018. According to The Advisory Board Company, an estimated 50% of large employers may have to contend with this tax, which will significantly raise the cost of employee health insurance.
In light of these challenges, businesses should consider taking advantage of telehealth services to mitigate the rapid rise in health insurance compliance costs while, at the same time, boosting their employee health and morale.
Telehealth as an alternative to conventional healthcare
Virtual doctor consultations and mobile health applications are becoming increasingly acceptable as more businesses and healthcare providers adopt this innovative and cost effective method of healthcare delivery. Telehealth encompasses the remote provision of health related services and information via telecommunication technologies, such as videoconferences the internet and phone. Online doctor visits, are also gaining popularity among employees. Providers typically use telehealth consultations to treat common ailments, such as colds, eye conditions and sore throats.
Estimates for telehealth services is about $35 to $40 per consultation in 2016. Although either the employee or employer can be solely responsible for service costs, consultation fees are often split between both parties.
Alternatively, employers can pay for services on a subscription basis. Under this model, telehealth providers charge employers the same amount per participant on a monthly or annual basis regardless of how often their employees use the service. This model allows employers to pay for telehealth membership separately from their health insurance plans. For example, smaller organizations can pay anywhere between $200 and $300 in annual membership fees per employee. Employers can also purchase telehealth services as an add on to their existing health insurance plans. When employees receive consultations at lower prices or at no additional cost, they are more likely to seek consultations for preventive care or minor ailments, which can help employers reduce the costs associated with employee absenteeism and illness.
The episodic analysis examined roughly 5,900 consults for Home Depot members and 3,400 consults for Rent-a-Center members. The resolution rate was 92 percent for both populations. In other words, employees did not need follow-up care from an office visit or emergency room after a telehealth visit. An estimated average claim savings of $673 for Home Depot resulted in a 12-month total savings of $5.9 million, and a $460 per-claim savings for Rent-a-Center for an annual total savings of $1.2 million.
During the next three years, more states are expected to require private health insurance carriers to reimburse telehealth service providers the same as they would providers of in person consultations, and more health insurance companies are planning to expand their coverage for telehealth services. As demand for telehealth services picks up in light of looming physician shortages, technological breakthroughs and changing regulations, prices are projected to increase at an annualized rate of 2.6% in the three years to 2018.
Telehealth Solutions advises businesses to consider procuring telehealth services soon in order to help limit potential cost growth as healthcare reform provisions continue to take effect in the coming years.
Footnotes
- Given that the definition of telehealth is often confusing, telehealth in this context is real-time communication that allows patients and providers to interact directly through a communication device such as a telephone or videoconferencing. While store-and-forward and remote patient monitoring technologies are increasing in popularity and can greatly contribute to patient care and lowering costs, I am specifically referencing the former in this article.
- Ken Research, “The US Telemedicine Market Outlook to 2018, Rising Penetration of Telehome Care and mHealth” June 2014
- “Current Telemedicine Technology Could Mean Big Savings, Towers Watson expects a 68 percent increase in the number of employers offering telemedicine in 2015.” http://www.towerswatson.com/en-US/Press/2014/08/current-telemedicine-technology-could-mean-big-savings August 11, 2014
- http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/03/older-adults-and-technology-use/
- http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/promotions/healthcare-innovation-barometer-infographic.pdf
- Latoya Thomas and Gary Capistrant, “50 State Telemedicine Gaps Analysis Coverage & Reimbursement” American Telemedicine Association, September 2014
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