{"id":993,"date":"2023-03-02T12:25:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T20:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/?p=993"},"modified":"2023-09-18T09:37:33","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T16:37:33","slug":"virtual-health-care-is-everywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/2023\/03\/02\/virtual-health-care-is-everywhere\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Health Care is Everywhere"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"993\" class=\"elementor elementor-993\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bcc90b6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bcc90b6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c5eecb\" data-id=\"1c5eecb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-495e8c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"495e8c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Virtual Health Care is Everywhere: Employer vs. Free Options, and the latest in Offerings. \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><br>Back in 2020, we wrote about <a href=\"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/index.php\/2020\/05\/01\/trends-free-resources-in-digital-virtual-telehealth-care-for-british-columbia\/\">virtual care offerings<\/a>, at the time prompted by the pandemic and the lockdown we were experiencing, which made routine doctor visits close to impossible.<\/p>\n\n<p>While virtual care was available pre-pandemic (in fact, it dates back to around 2006), it was inconsistent and sometimes difficult to navigate. One silver lining of the pandemic is that the virtual healthcare space has exploded with new and expanded platforms, offering individuals and businesses a variety of options to meet a range of needs.<\/p>\n\n<p>The shortage of family medicine providers, compounded by a severe cold and flu season has made virtual care offerings even more valuable in recent months. A huge number of Canadians do not have a family doctor, and for those that do, booking a same-day appointment is often extremely difficult, if not impossible. While an in-person visit is certainly warranted in many instances, sometimes a virtual visit will suffice, and it can definitely be more convenient: no commuting, parking, waiting rooms.<\/p>\n\n<p>Studies show that over 50% of doctor\u2019s visits could be handled without direct contact, meaning a virtual visit will suffice to resolve the concern. Through most virtual providers, you can access:<\/p>\n<ul>\n \t<li>Diagnoses<\/li>\n \t<li>Prescriptions<\/li>\n \t<li>Sick Notes<\/li>\n \t<li>Lab work orders, such as blood tests<\/li>\n \t<li>Referrals to specialists<\/li>\n \t<li>Imaging referrals (Xray, Ultrasound)<\/li>\n \t<li>Mental health inquires and referrals<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>\nWhile all providers prescribe medications, they do not prescribe or refill narcotics and addictive controlled substances.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e46b0b1\" data-id=\"e46b0b1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-826e8af elementor-toc--content-ellipsis elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"826e8af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;collapse_subitems&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__826e8af\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__826e8af\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__826e8af\" class=\"elementor-toc__body elementor-toc__list-items--collapsible\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d2903ad elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d2903ad\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a7f9476\" data-id=\"a7f9476\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e90dae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6e90dae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Free vs Paid Options <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><br>You may have noticed the existence of free virtual health care offerings versus paid programs that can be purchased either by businesses for their employees, or even by individuals.<\/p>\n\n<h3><strong>\nWhy pay for a Virtual Health Program, with so many free options? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p><br>Employers can add Virtual Care programs to their benefits line-up. A typical paid employer-sponsored program means an enhanced experience, such as:<\/p>\n<p><ul>\n \t<li>Wait times: free options are becoming heavily used, and wait times are becoming longer. Paid options guarantee quicker access.<\/li>\n \t<li>Longer hours of availability; many paid options offer 24-7 care, in contrast to free versions.<\/li>\n \t<li>Coverage for those in provinces\/territories where virtual visits are not insured: currently only BC, Ontario, Alberta and Quebec cover virtual doctors visits under provincial care<\/li>\n \t<li>Direct access to many specialists: often common specialists like dermatologists or pediatricians can be accessed through enhanced programs<\/li>\n \t<li>Beyond regular medical doctor\u2019s visits: practitioners are often available through enhanced paid programs such as counsellors and dieticians, naturopaths and most notably, mental health services.<\/li>\n \t<li>Reporting: usage \/ ROI data is available through some providers<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/p><p>\nWhile the cost ranges, many of these programs are available as add-ons to your existing benefits program for a few dollars per employee, per month.<\/p>\n\nFor example, Manulife\u2019s program is provided through Telus Virtual Health Care and is available as an add-on to an insured plan for $3.95 per employee per month. Like other similar programs, it offers an app with 24-7 on-demand access to health providers via secure text, video, and live chat.\n\nMaple Virtual Health is another well-known and highly regarded offering that is also available through many insurance providers (RBC Insurance, for example). Maple Virtual Health can also be purchased stand-alone by employers, and it does provide some ability for free visits to non-members in qualifying provinces, but they are tapering this back to focus on employer-sponsored programs.\n\nTelus Health is the best known and largest of the virtual health platforms and offers employer-sponsored programs. It is worth noting that Telus Business mobility customers have access to the paid version of the Virtual Care program for free!\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9ab3273 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9ab3273\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5e538b6\" data-id=\"5e538b6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cb3ae0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7cb3ae0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1254\" height=\"836\" src=\"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tele-health-plans-2023-2-jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-995\" alt=\"Virtual Health Care is Everywhere: Employer vs. Free Options, and the latest in Offerings\" srcset=\"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tele-health-plans-2023-2-jpg.webp 1254w, https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tele-health-plans-2023-2-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tele-health-plans-2023-2-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tele-health-plans-2023-2-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1254px) 100vw, 1254px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-348d32b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"348d32b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0bbdce7\" data-id=\"0bbdce7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6705e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d6705e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Free Virtual Healthcare Options <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><br>Depending on your province of residence, you may be able to access free doctor\u2019s visits through some virtual providers. Some provinces cover virtual doctor visits, meaning you will pay no fee to access a doctor online (the doctor will bill the province, as they usually would with an in-person visit).<\/p>\n\n<p>For residents of BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, visits are free under some platforms. For those in other provinces, accessing a virtual provider typically costs around $30-40 per visit.<\/p>\n\n<p>Most of these virtual providers connect via phone, live chat, video or secure text in order to connect with patients. The following are two notable virtual health care providers:<\/p><p>\n<ul>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.telus.com\/en\/personal-health\/my-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Telus Health<\/a> \u2013 Telus has acquired numerous other providers and continues to dominate the virtual healthcare landscape. As mentioned previously, Telus Business mobility customers have access to the paid version of the Virtual Care program for free. The Telus Health MyCare app can be downloaded for free, and in covered provinces, doctor\u2019s visits are billed to the province.<\/li>\n\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tiahealth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tia Health<\/a> One of the most well known and highly regarded platforms, with an easy to navigate system, Tia offers access to doctors, nurses and pharmacists by phone, video or secure messaging. Tia has also acquired a number of other virtual health providers, so has greatly expanded its network of clinicians.<\/li>\n\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/virtualclinics.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Well Health Virtual Clinic<\/a> Branded as a virtual walk-in clinic, this provider focuses on doctors visits, simple access to prescriptions and requisitions, and is free in covered provinces. A unique feature is you are able to choose your doctor from their listing.<\/li>\n\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cover.health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cover Health<\/a>&#8211; Another virtual \u201cwalk in clinic\u201d this platform is free in Ontario under OHIP and offers same day appointments, 7 days per week.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-48e9f1b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"48e9f1b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ec8df6e\" data-id=\"ec8df6e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1a2983 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a1a2983\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Virtual Mental Health Platforms <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><br>Accessing quality mental health services is difficult, and a significant barrier for many people is simply leaving the house. Accessing support through easy to navigate virtual platforms can be life changing. While the cost of the programs can be notable (the per-visit cost can be similar to an in-person session with a credentialed therapist), this can typically qualify under Extended Health paramedical coverage or through a Health Spending Account.<\/p>\n\n<h3><strong>Two notable mental health platforms are: <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><ul>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindbeacon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MindBeacon<\/a> With a focus on mental health support, specifically, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, MindBeacon is highly regarded in the virtual mental health support space. As the online practitioners are credentialed psychologists or social workers, fees can typically be submitted through benefit plans.<\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inkblottherapy.com\/organizations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inkblot<\/a> Launched in 2018, Inkblot Therapy strives to alleviate the extremely long wait times that many people face in accessing mental health support. As a platform focused exclusively on mental health, Inkblot offers confidential virtual therapy, CBT, continuity of care, webinars and training, trauma and treatment services, chronic disease management, psychiatric consultations and collaborative care, work and life support<\/li>\n<\/ul><br><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Virtual Health is here to Stay! <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The pandemic provided the opportunity for expansion and innovation in the virtual health landscape. While there will always be the necessity for in-person medical treatment and virtual offerings should not be exclusively relied upon, they do solve numerous problems people face in accessing healthcare, and provide a comfortable and convenient alternative, where appropriate.<\/p>\n\n<p>Whether you choose to implement an employer-sponsored paid program or not, employers should take the time to ensure employees are aware of the virtual health landscape, and the options available to them. There are many educational materials available that can be distributed to employees to assist in spreading the word.<\/p>\n\n<p>Please feel free to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.immixgroup.ca\/contact.php\">reach out<\/a>  if you\u2019d like to learn more. We love to hear from you!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-05dfa38 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"05dfa38\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7b8b13b\" data-id=\"7b8b13b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aeaf239 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aeaf239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ\u2019s on Virtual Care  <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d70acba elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d70acba\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a698bfb\" data-id=\"a698bfb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c9ba68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-elementskit-faq\" data-id=\"1c9ba68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"elementskit-faq.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ekit-wid-con\" >\n                <div class=\"elementskit-single-faq elementor-repeater-item-3e1ff64\">\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-header\">\n                <h2 class=\"elementskit-faq-title\">Can a virtual health care provider prescribe medication? <\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-body\">\n                Yes, this is one of the core services, however they will not prescribe controlled or addictive substances.             <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"elementskit-single-faq elementor-repeater-item-7e00b8b\">\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-header\">\n                <h2 class=\"elementskit-faq-title\">Can I see a specialist through a virtual care provider? <\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-body\">\n                Sometimes, yes but more commonly you must still be referred to a specialist by a regular GP. Under some paid programs, specialists can be accessed.             <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"elementskit-single-faq elementor-repeater-item-4837101\">\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-header\">\n                <h2 class=\"elementskit-faq-title\">Can I access virtual care if I\u2019m not in one of the provinces where it\u2019s insured under provincial coverage? <\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-body\">\n                Yes, the same service is available, but a per-visit cost is charged that starts around $30. Subscriptions to virtual care platforms are available as well.             <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"elementskit-single-faq elementor-repeater-item-172f7e4\">\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-header\">\n                <h2 class=\"elementskit-faq-title\">Can I see my own doctor through virtual care? <\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-body\">\n                It depends! If your doctor works for one of the providers, you may be able to see them through a virtual care platform. Or they may provide this through their clinic.             <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"elementskit-single-faq elementor-repeater-item-aedaebe\">\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-header\">\n                <h2 class=\"elementskit-faq-title\">How do I connect with a virtual provider? <\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"elementskit-faq-body\">\n                Typically, you will engage online through your computer, table or smartphone. Once booking an appointment, you can usually choose a phone call, text, live chat or video conferencing for the appointment.             <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                \n    <\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-09b6d48 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"09b6d48\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5103ea8\" data-id=\"5103ea8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e6d36d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0e6d36d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5664896 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5664896\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-53cf1fb\" data-id=\"53cf1fb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b3263f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3b3263f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"409\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tele-health-plans-2023-3b.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1016\" alt=\"telehealth plan insights by Immix Group\" srcset=\"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tele-health-plans-2023-3b.png 409w, https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tele-health-plans-2023-3b-256x300.png 256w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b121e3\" data-id=\"0b121e3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adf4317 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"adf4317\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tKey Takeaways\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2022\tVirtual health platforms today offer a convenient and effective solutions for many medical concerns. <br>\n\u2022\tThere are numerous free virtual health platforms available today.<br>\n\u2022\tPaid options typically provide enhanced services, namely guaranteed quicker access. <br>\n\u2022\tAll Employers should promote virtual health care offerings to their employees, whether or not you provide an Employer-paid version. \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1e5c017 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1e5c017\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ea8499e\" data-id=\"ea8499e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09da1f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"09da1f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Further Reading: <\/strong><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/tiahealth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Canadian Online Doctor Appointments | Tia Health | Book in Minutes<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.telus.com\/en\/health\/care-centres\/virtual-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Virtual Care | TELUS Health Care Centres<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeworks.com\/en\/mental-health-index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lifeworks\/Telus\u00a0 report Mental Health Index<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manulife.ca\/business\/group-benefits\/prevention-and-management\/healthcare-online.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Healthcare Online &#8211; On-Demand Healthcare Access | Manulife<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/index.php\/2020\/05\/01\/trends-free-resources-in-digital-virtual-telehealth-care-for-british-columbia\/\">Trends &amp; Free Resources in Digital, Virtual &amp; Telehealth Care for British Columbia &#8211; Latest News from Immix Group<\/a><\/p><p>Tia Health: <a href=\"https:\/\/tiahealth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/tiahealth.com\/<\/a><\/p><p>InkBlot <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inkblottherapy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Effective Mental Health Care for Everyone | Inkblot Therapy<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fa686fd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fa686fd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3377619\" data-id=\"3377619\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24621cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-227 elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"24621cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script src=\"https:\/\/apps.elfsight.com\/p\/platform.js\" defer><\/script>\n<div class=\"elfsight-app-83f14fdc-92b5-4456-9af4-0934ad166639\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1454995 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1454995\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e2deeda\" data-id=\"e2deeda\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-953e09c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"953e09c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-491b41b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"491b41b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b9ca55f\" data-id=\"b9ca55f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-276d0e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-230 elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"276d0e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/260114-259xx-683x1024.avif\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1957\" alt=\"Lindsay Byrka\" srcset=\"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/260114-259xx-683x1024.avif 683w, https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/260114-259xx-200x300.avif 200w, https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/260114-259xx-768x1152.avif 768w, https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/260114-259xx.avif 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7ca79cc\" data-id=\"7ca79cc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02c3863 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-233 elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02c3863\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><span class=\"cert\"><a id=\"ember1416\" class=\"active ember-view pv-verified-info-modal__vieweetitle\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lindsaybyrka\/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_verification_details%3B%2BiISPezIQvaydOw%2F7NcoTA%3D%3D\" data-ntt-old-href=\"\/in\/lindsaybyrka\/\" data-artdeco-is-focused=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lindsay Byrka, CFP\u00ae<\/a> BA, BEd<\/span><\/h3><p>Vice President, Immix Group: An Employee Benefits Company<br \/><strong>A<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2602.5699178039927!2d-123.12053598382099!3d49.28454617855886!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x54867181f97930d5%3A0x9797e526e8704198!2s888%20Dunsmuir%20St%20%23450%2C%20Vancouver%2C%20BC%20V6C%203K4!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1583124389424!5m2!1sen!2sca\" target=\"new\" rel=\"noopener\">Suite 450 &#8211; 888 Dunsmuir St. Vancouver V6C 3K4<\/a><br \/><strong>O<\/strong>\u00a0 <a href=\"tel:6046885262\">604-688-5262<\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>E<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:lindsay@immixgroup.ca\">lindsay@immixgroup.ca<\/a><br \/><strong>W<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.immixgroup.ca\/\">www.immixgroup.ca<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Virtual Health Care is Everywhere: Employer vs. Free Options, and the latest in Offerings. \u00a0 Back in 2020, we wrote about virtual care offerings, at the time prompted by the pandemic and the lockdown we were experiencing, which made routine doctor visits close to impossible. While virtual care was available pre-pandemic (in fact, it dates [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":996,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,14,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employee-health","category-emloyee-benefits","category-health-care-plans"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/993","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=993"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1102,"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/993\/revisions\/1102"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immixgroup.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}