Through various digital technologies, health care providers are putting more responsibility for health care into their customers’ hands in effort to reduce costs by avoiding more expensive office visits while improving quality through a more customer-friendly experience.
According to John Sarno, president of Employers Association of New Jersey, the next step for the organization’s employer’s healthcare trust is to offer employers and their employees 24/7 access to U.S. Board Certified doctors who are able to treat a wide range of common conditions.
In 2011, EANJ launched the Affiliated Physicians & Employers Health Plan, which is a self-insured multiple employer plan administered by QualCare Management Resources. The Plan currently covers about 23,500 lives.
The Plan is now partnered with telemedicine company, MDLive, and will bring the Plan’s members around-the-clock access to physicians.
Recently, Walgreen’s, the nation’s largest retail pharmacy chain, reached a similar deal with MDLive to provide its customers with digital health technology further establishing the telehealth industry as no passing fad.
“Members can now consult a U.S. board certified physician from their computer, tablet or their phone,” says Sarno. “We are extending our mission to help employers maintain a healthy and productive workforce into the digital space.”
With easy access to certified physicians for common problems like allergies, asthma, bronchitis, cold & flu, ear and throat infections, fever and headaches, Sarno expects employees to miss less days at work, be more productive, and save employers money on health claims that can be avoided.
“This will be particularly helpful to working parents whose children get ill and to working people without paid sick leave. They can get accessible, convenient treatment any time of day or night, get their prescription, and hopefully not lose a day’s pay waiting to see a doctor,” he says.
EANJ’s Health plan is ahead of the curve.
On February 8, 2016 bills were introduced in the state Assembly and Senate to require health insurance carriers that offer managed care plans to provide coverage for telemedicine services delivered to the same extent that the services would be covered if they were provided through in-person consultation.
Learn more about Affiliated Physicians & Employers Health Plan