Advances in technology allow mobile workforces to access high quality healthcare no matter where they are in the world. HR leaders from multinational companies are increasingly supporting employees by providing access to quality non-emergency medical care online.
There are estimated to be over 50 million expats located around the world and this figure is growing year on year. For employers, the cost of sending a senior employee to work abroad can exceed $250,000. Getting a good return on investment for expatriates is critical, so managing the health and wellbeing of a global workforce becomes an important part of international HR.
There are estimated to be over 50 million expats located around the world and this figure is growing year on year. For employers, the cost of sending a senior employee to work abroad can exceed $250,000. Getting a good return on investment for expatriates is critical, so managing the health and wellbeing of a global workforce becomes an important part of international HR.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is the use of digital communication technologies to access healthcare services. This may involve the use of smartphone apps, video conferencing and phone consultations with medical professionals.
How can telehealth help expats?
- While in-person medical services and emergency room access will always be required for unexpected medical situations and serious illness, health insurers are increasingly offering telehealth to expat employees for several reasons:
- Limits interactions with unfamiliar health systems
- Moving abroad is stressful for employees. Expats must adjust to new cultural and social norms without the support of friends and family. Finding a local doctor as an expat can be complex. Telehealth provides global employees with the comfort of knowing there is a professional at the end of the line. They can discuss their symptoms with a qualified doctor and get the advice they need to get better quickly.
- Reduces employer costs
- Telehealth for expats may reduce their need for time away from work for non-emergency medical visits. In addition, easy access to medical advice may encourage employees to discuss health concerns early before they become more serious.
- Access to multilingual medical advice
- Many telemedicine services for expats allow users to get help in a range of languages. This is particularly useful if employees are not fully comfortable using local language for discussions around their health and wellbeing.
- LiveDoc Video Consultation App, provided by Health at Hand, is included with our international health insurance plans for Dubai.
