How Virtual Care Innovations Can Benefit People and Employers

• As COVID-19 continues to spread, more people and caregivers will continue to use virtual care.
• Virtual care and other digital health resources contribute to a more connected, personalized health system.
• UnitedHealthcare's focus on innovation provides people and employers with more digital health resources.

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed most medical facilities for several months other than emergency care in 2020, many patients turned to virtual care out of necessity. This trend has continued through 2021, but not necessarily because many people embrace the simplicity, convenience, and affordability of virtual care.

Virtual care usage increased 2,500% in 2020, according to UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest providers of health programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid recipients in the United States. This trend shows persistence as some types of virtual medical services such as primary care, emergency care, disease management, and behavioral health services have stayed at or above pre-pandemic levels, suggesting the momentum is continuing.

Virtual care is an example of how digital health resources will continue to use people and caregivers, while other types of technologies help create a more connected, data-driven health system. Innovative digital solutions help people to become and stay healthier.

Virtual care will increase, especially for older Americans

Unsurprisingly, virtual grooming is growing in popularity at a time when people are increasingly enjoying shopping for groceries and doing other transactions online. In fact, a recent UnitedHealthcare survey found that - even after the COVID-19 pandemic ended - a quarter of respondents said they prefer a virtual relationship with a family doctor rather than face-to-face visits.

Going forward, virtual care will be particularly beneficial for older Americans, in part because of higher rates of chronic illness, lack of access to transportation, limited income, and other factors. More and more people aged 65 and over are feeling more comfortable with virtual support and may find this option to be more desirable than face-to-face visits. To that end, almost all of UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage plans, with the Medicare open registration period (October 15 - December 7), offer a $ 0 co-payment for virtual visits for primary care and mental health.

While virtual care won't replace face-to-face visits, the technology is generally more affordable and convenient, said Dr. Anne Docimo, Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare.

"We see that a hybrid approach that leverages virtual care can help expand consumer choice and convenience while increasing engagement and access to care," said Dr. Docimo. "As people try to balance a hectic work and life plan, virtual care is proving to be an increasingly important option for care."

Increasingly simplified access to digital health resources

Removing obstacles to care and using technology can also help people take responsibility for their own health. This is important given the continued spread of COVID-19, which has led many people to avoid going to public gyms and placing a high priority on exercising at home.

For example, more and more people and employers are asking for health plans that include technology-based resources that motivate - and encourage - members to be physically active. Programs like UnitedHealthcare Motion® give eligible individuals access to wearable devices at no additional cost and allow them to earn financial incentives by achieving certain daily activity goals, including walking, cycling, swimming, and weight training, among others.

UnitedHealthcare is also meeting this growing demand with expanded access to digital fitness apps for on-demand, studio-style workouts. Beginning November 1, millions of people in most states with fully insured, employer-sponsored health plans in most states will have year-round access to Apple Fitness +, the first fitness service entirely based on the Apple Watch, at no additional charge. And starting next year, employers with self-funded health plans will be able to purchase an Apple Fitness Bundle that gives employees a 12-month subscription to Apple Fitness + and a $ 25 Apple digital gift card.

"As more people and caregivers adopt a digital mindset and evolve into a digital mindset, UnitedHealthcare will continue to modernize our approach to health benefits and invest in new ways to use technology to help people on their way to health," said Dr. Docimo.

Virtual primary care and digital therapeutics help prevent or better manage chronic diseases

Remote patient monitoring programs, digital therapeutics, and virtual primary care are other healthcare advances that are becoming increasingly common. These approaches can help individuals and caregivers make data-driven treatment decisions while increasing consumer engagement.

For example, virtual care can help people develop - or maintain - a relationship with a family doctor for health checkups, diagnostics, treatment of long-term illnesses, and some urgent and non-urgent treatments. At the same time, people might consider using connected devices to potentially improve their health, from smartwatches and activity trackers to continuous blood glucose meters and connected asthma inhalers.

These connected devices - and similar devices - can provide critical real-time information and provide people with actionable feedback on their behavioral patterns, while allowing caregivers to advise patients on how to more effectively follow recommended treatments.

UnitedHealthcare provides some members with symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF) with electronic scales and blood pressure monitors and tablets with software that they can use to complete daily health surveys. This information can then be communicated directly to care teams who monitor and contact members or connect them with their caregivers if personalized data suggests that an intervention could help improve health outcomes.

"Digital health has moved from caring for sick people to focusing on disease prevention and detection and, when necessary, easier management of chronic diseases," said Dr. Docimo. "The introduction and increased use of virtual care and other types of digital health resources can help fill gaps in care, avoid complications and avoid unnecessary hospital stays - all of which will help improve health outcomes and reduce costs."

Virtual care has earned its place alongside face-to-face visits as a major health option, while other types of digital health innovations are becoming increasingly important in helping people live healthier lives. As technological advances continue to improve and more doctors and people adopt and accept them, virtual care and digital health will become even more important options in creating a more modern and efficient health system.

Find out more about UnitedHealthcare's initiatives here.

This post was created by Insider Studios with UnitedHealthcare.

continue reading https://dailytechnonewsllc.com/how-virtual-care-innovations-can-benefit-people-and-employers/?feed_id=4142&_unique_id=61c0b9b038f3d