"Dramatic increase" of US employees using telemedicine predicted
A survey of 5,000 private sector workers in the US has revealed that just 8% have utilised a telemedicine service offered in their employee wellness programmes, a figure that is predicted to rise "quite dramatically" in the next couple of years according to Towers Watson Health and Group Benefits Senior Health Management Consultant, Shelly Wolff. Of the commonly used applications for digital health, over two thirds of surveyed employees found Yelp-style doctor ratings websites important in managing their health, whilst 54% found wearable personal fitness trackers helpful towards their wellbeing. Overall, workers are not taking full advantage of digital health incentives offered by insurers, with just $365 of incentives being paid out for every $880 offered.

Telemedicine has had a lengthy gestation period in the US, beginning in the late 1950s with the telephonic transmission of radiographic imagery, but appears to finally be turning a corner in becoming a mainstay of chronic disease care, according to a Harvard Business Review op-ed. Mainstream pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS have begun to offer virtual consultations, and numerous studies have been published espousing the benefits of telehealth. There are, however, some hurdles to be overcome, including entrenched views around the necessity of face-to-face consultations amongst the elders of the medical profession, increased concerns over the potential for greater liabilities for doctors practicing remotely, and ever present privacy concerns. 

Some 8 percent of employees used a telemedicine offering in their employee wellness program, according to a survey of 5,000 people employed by nongovernment organizations with 1,000 or more employees.

Towers Watson Health and Group Benefits Senior Health Management Consultant Shelly Wolff, who presented this data at the National Conference on Health, Productivity and Human Capital in Boston this week, said that although just 8 percent of employees are participating in telemedicine, she predicts this percentage will increase quite dramatically in the next couple years.

Almost half of the employees are engaging in the programs that have been around the longest, Wolff said. These programs include health risk assessments and biometric screenings. The survey also found that a slightly larger number of employees, 11 percent, accessed online information. In total, 50 percent of employees participated in some kind of well-being activity or health-related program in the last year.

When asked what digital tools are very important to manage their health, 36 percent said websites with ratings of doctors and hospitals, 29 percent said wearable devices to monitor fitness activity, 21 percent said apps to monitor a health condition, 26 percent apps to track diet, 25 percent said a price comparison site for health products and services, and 19 percent said apps to track sleep and relaxation.

"One of the top areas that companies are focused on is website ratings of physicians and hospitals," Wolff said. "That has not popped up before like this so that was very interesting that we've got more high deductible health plans, they're getting the quality issue, and good for them, they're actually going out and looking."

Although participants are interested in digital tools, participation in these programs is low. On average, Wolff said, $880 in incentives being offered, and just $365 are being paid out. She also said 40 percent of employees didn't earn any incentives at all and opted out of the program entirely. This percentage is higher than it was last year.

"Part of it is people give up, they feel like it's not worth it, it's too hard, it's difficult, we added complexity," Wolff said. "But that's a big disengagement number. And only 42 percent actually earn the maximum."

A majority of employees, 71 percent, said they agree or strongly agree that they prefer to manage their own health and 46 percent said they don't want their employer to have access to their personal health information. Another reason why employees do not participate is that the right programs aren't offered -- 32 percent said initiatives offered by employers do not meet their needs.