Virtual health for group health plans
With the power to provide convenient and on-demand access to care — without leaving the home or workplace — it’s no wonder that the demand for virtual care continues to grow. In fact, nearly 90% of surveyed Americans in 2021 said they wanted to continue using virtual care for non-urgent health needs.1 Virtual health has permeated many aspects of employer health and well-being offerings. 57% of employers were looking to add even more virtual health solutions in 2023 and 74% believe that virtual health will have a significant impact on how care is delivered in the future.2
Employers believe virtual health holds promise – one way we see this is by anticipated growth of virtual primary care offerings, increasing from 32% in 2022 to 69% in 20252 – we are ahead of the curve on this with virtual primary care available in most open access plans.
Our virtual health offerings are designed to help members along their health journey –Helping to access quality care in moments that matter most.
Virtual health and care solutions continue to play a prominent role in connecting members to care; they support our commitments, specifically:
- Helping people navigate a fragmented system – members can readily find and access virtual care via myuhc.com, the UnitedHealthcare app or through an advocate
- Enhancing benefits through internal and external collaboration – many virtual solutions are made possible by these collaborations bringing more benefits to life for members
- Reducing the total cost of care – often virtual care may be less expensive than in-person care and can help reduce total cost for both employers and members
Unlocking the true potential of virtual health
Virtual care, built for real results
As the demand for virtual health solutions grows, UnitedHealthcare is continuing to expand online and mobile3 access to all kinds of care and support for employees and their families. Below is just a sample of what's available.
Virtual urgent and primary care
From urgent care to wellness exams, employees can access virtual care for some of their most common needs.
- The virtual care relationship lets members connect with a primary care provider (PCP) for their ongoing care needs.
- Care for common and chronic conditions, as well as ongoing, follow-up care
- Guidance to in-person care when needed
- Appointments available within a week, often same day
- A personal virtual care team includes a PCP, nurse practitioner and care navigator available 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. local time. After hours, members can access coordinated care via 24/7 Virtual Visits.
- Members can connect with a provider through live, interactive audio-video support designed for more convenient, less costly care.
- Attention for non-emergency care needs, in all 50 states and D.C.
- Treatment for a broad range of conditions, from medical to behavioral
- Personalized prescriptions, labs and in-person care (as needed)
- The virtual-only specialists are in the network and contracted based on their ability to deliver fast, flexible access to quality care.
- Specialist care that is aligned with the member’s health plan benefits – no buy-ups needed
- Providers are selected based on industry-standard metrics and patient reported outcomes for quality and affordability
Behavioral health
Compassionate and convenient, virtual behavioral health solutions are designed to help make care more accessible for a continuum of needs.
- Employees can talk confidentially by phone, desktop or mobile device3 with a psychiatrist or therapist without leaving home
- Get evaluated for conditions like depression or anxiety
- Get a prescription,4 if needed
- Unlimited, 24/7 access to a specialist who can help in the moment
- Helps employees find support including confidential consultations and counseling, legal assistance and financial coaching
- Employers can also consult with specialists for help with improving organizational performance, building employee resiliency, and anticipating and responding to change
- Employers with EAP saw a 20% decrease in behavioral health-related days absent from work5
- Provides access to emotional support right away, with trained emotional health specialists offering 24/7 phone support
- Specialists connect employees to programs they may be eligible for, such as coaching, in-person or virtual therapy, and self-help
- Provides support for depression, anxiety and stress that may accompany health issues such as cardiac conditions, diabetes, chronic pain and cancer
- 8-weeks of care using a whole-person approach
- Coaches available for 1-on-1 support
- Offers on-demand self-help for stress, anxiety and depression
- Employees may relieve symptoms and build life skills through daily mood tracking, resources and tools, and collections
Virtual visits for dental care
- Dentist Virtual Visits from DialCare Teledentistry allow employees to connect with a licensed dentist anytime, anywhere
- Benefits include two virtual visits per year at no cost-share, as well 24/7 access to consultations for nonemergency dental conditions, second opinions, treatment options and clinically necessary prescriptions from state-licensed and fully credentialed dentists
Condition-specific virtual care, monitoring and testing
Advanced digital therapeutics are giving employees new ways to help get and stay healthier, including remote monitoring for chronic conditions and more.
- Clinical care for type 2 diabetes, that helps members work to lower their average blood glucose to improve their condition and pursue what the American Diabetes Association defines as remission
- Offers members fresh glucose insights and clinical care, backed by expert support and empowering tools — all working together to give members new hope and take new action
- Wearables like continuous glucose monitors and activity trackers help provide real-time data to customize care and intervene sooner
- A Level2 care team of physicians, nurse practitioners, coaches, and registered dietitians helps members work to improve their type 2 diabetes
- Connected asthma inhalers, blood pressure cuffs and pulse oximeters send real-time data to patients and providers to help identify potentially serious changes and intervene faster
- At-home sensors help older adults age in place and reduce the risk of falls and social isolation
- In addition to workplace and offsite testing options, at-home screening helps make screenings more convenient and accessible, and may encourage more employees to take part
- Self-administered tests are delivered to the employee’s home along with prepaid, postage-included return packaging
- Available for biometrics, colon cancer and hemoglobin A1C