Benefits of Virtual Care

To say that COVID changed everything would be an understatement. 

So would saying that QSRs don’t struggle with staffing. 

The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell estimates that the cost of turnover for restaurants averages around $5,864 per front-line employee. The disproportionate ratio of job postings and people applying for them has led to more competition than ever before — which means employers need to use every tool at their disposal to stand out in this labor environment. Additionally, since COVID, many people have become accustomed to using virtual care. 59% of employees said they would choose a job with telemedicine benefits over one without (Mercer). Furthermore, 80% of employees said that having Virtual Care as a benefit would positively impact their decision to stay with their current employer (Mercer). 

For most QSRs, the large majority of employees decline health insurance due to cost; virtual concierge services are the way forward to attract talent and preserve valuable human capital. 

For example, by offering their employees and their families access to a virtual concierge service for no additional cost, physicians are now readily available 24/7, including holidays and weekends. This may be the first time employees have ever had access to healthcare — and, it’s free, unlimited, and only takes a few minutes to connect with a physician.

This flexibility grants employees access to healthcare services without having to take time off work, another selling point for job seekers. An employee who has the ability to schedule a virtual appointment during their lunch break is less likely to miss work or use their vacation time. Telemedicine has the ability to help employers recruit candidates who may live in remote areas with limited access to healthcare services. Flexibility is a huge employee benefit, particularly for those juggling familial responsibilities. 

Retaining employees is just as important as keeping them — according to a study conducted by Willis Towers Watson, employees who have access to virtual care are more likely to take advantage of preventative services such as flu shots and wellness screenings. Accessibility may help prevent more serious problems down the road. Health is wealth, after all.

Moreover, telemedicine can reduce healthcare costs for both employers and employees. A virtual visit is not only more accessible than a visit to urgent care, ER, or the doctor’s office, but costs significantly less. Lower healthcare costs for both the employer and employee lead to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover. According to a survey by the National Business Group on Health, 90% of employees who used telemedicine were satisfied with their experience.

The act of offering virtual care as an employee benefit is demonstrating to employees that their employer is investing in their health, therefore their futures.