Encouraging People to Use Telehealth Services For Physical or Mental Health

Telemedicine, which became popular during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is still widely used today. In fact, a 2022 Digital Health Consumer Survey by Rock Health found that 8 in 10 respondents had accessed telemedicine care at some point. Everyone should be encouraged to continue or begin to use telehealth services to gain access to quick, convenient and affordable care. Scheduling is easier, you don't have to drive anywhere, and there's no sitting in waiting rooms. Whether you're feeling ill or having mental health issues which can range from stress, anxiety, and depression to being overwhelmed by family, relationships, and current events, telehealth may be a fast affordable way to get yourself on your way to feeling better.

Educate Yourself on Telehealth Services

Some people are creatures of habit, meaning they may not be comfortable using telehealth services simply because they’ve never used or heard of them before.

Although it’s a newer type of health care service, the modern telehealth platforms are generally user-friendly and operate similar to other video call platforms. Once this is explained to people, they may be more willing to embrace the offering.

Most healthcare services provide easy-to-understand educational resources to explain what telehealth is, what it should and shouldn’t be used for, and how your health plan treats telehealth services.

Benefits of Telehealth Services

There are many benefits of telehealth services, which include, but are not limited to:

1. Minimized risk to health care workers and patients by limiting exposure to the diseases.
2. Increased services for chronic patient monitoring, follow-up visits, therapy appointments and post-operative care.
3. Improved health care outcomes due to increased access to care, particularly for preventive services.
4. Greater ability for patients to follow shelter-in-place restrictions or suggestions by staying home and away from hospitals, except for emergencies.
5. Increased convenience due to receiving care in the comfort of your home.
6. Potentially increased cost savings, depending on the health plan.

The Benefits of Virtual Mental Health Care

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than one-in-five Americans live with mental illness. Unfortunately, an estimated 122 million Americans live in areas where there are shortages of mental health professionals. In more rural areas, the nearest mental health professional could be several hours away. People who lack access to mental health services may postpone or neglect mental health care. But ignoring mental health issues can have a detrimental impact on you, your family and your co-workers. It may also make mental health issues worse. 

Virtual mental health care is helping to provide critical access to mental health care services around the country. This is especially important as the increasing popularity of remote work has enabled more employees to work from rural parts of the country.

What Is Virtual Mental Health Care?

Virtual mental health care refers to a range of services that can be offered online via phone, tablet or computer. It often comes in the form of remote appointments or online communications. Although it may feel strange initially to open up to a mental health professional on your computer, forms of virtual health care have been around since the 1990s. Today, virtual mental health care may include the following options:
•    Virtual therapy sessions
•    Online coaching sessions
•    Self-help apps
•    Virtual substance misuse programs

Benefits of Virtual Mental Health Care

There are numerous benefits to virtual mental healthcare, especially if you live in an area where it’s difficult or impossible to find a qualified local mental health professional. For this reason, companies are increasingly offering virtual mental health services as part of employee benefits packages.

Here are some of the benefits of virtual mental health care:

1. Improves access to mental health professionals—Virtual mental health care is convenient and accessible, enabling more people to receive quality care where they live.
2. Adds scheduling flexibility—Telehealth appointments can often be made outside of typical work hours or navigating your kids' schedules. They may also be combined with in-person sessions if you live in the same area as your mental health professional.
3. Increases comfort—Many people avoid seeking mental health care because they’re afraid of being recognized in a psychiatrist’s office or because of other logistical concerns, such as lacking proper transportation. Telepsychology enables you to receive quality care with anonymity from the comfort of your own home.
4. Enhances addiction treatment—Substance abuse and addiction issues are particularly prevalent in rural and low-income areas, which often lack proper mental health care resources. The expansion of virtual mental health services allows more people to get the support they need.
5. Meets the needs of mental health care sessions—Telehealth is well-suited for mental health care because physical exams aren’t typically required. This means entire sessions can be delivered virtually.
6. Mental health care is for everyone—You don’t need to have a mental illness to benefit from mental health sessions. Using the virtual mental health care benefits provided by your health care provider can help you reduce stress, overcome burnout and improve your overall well-being.

If you have questions or are unsure about whether you have telehealth services/whether your employer provides telehealth services, please reach out to us at Wells Insurance. We have an entire Employee Benefits team whose job it is to help employers and their employees get the benefits services they need.

This article is provided by Wells Insurance and is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of an insurance professional. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.