Why Telemedicine Is the Most-Used PCMP Benefit

telemedicine employee benefitvirtual doctor visitsPCMP telemedicine

Telemedicine — the ability to consult with a licensed physician via phone or video within minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — has become one of the most valued employee benefits in the modern workforce. For employees, it means access to care without the cost, time, and logistics of an in-person visit. For employers, it means reduced absenteeism, lower healthcare costs, and a benefit that employees actually use and appreciate. The PCMP includes unlimited $0 copay telemedicine as a core benefit — and it's consistently the most-used and most-valued benefit in the suite.

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine (also called telehealth) is the delivery of healthcare services via digital communication technologies — phone, video, or secure messaging. A telemedicine consultation connects the patient with a licensed physician or nurse practitioner who can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, order lab tests, and provide referrals — all without an in-person visit. The PCMP's telemedicine benefit provides access to board-certified physicians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with an average wait time of under 15 minutes. Consultations are available by phone or video, and prescriptions can be sent to any pharmacy.

The $0 copay difference

Most telemedicine services charge a per-visit fee of $40–$75, or require the patient to meet their health insurance deductible before coverage kicks in. For employees without health insurance — or with high-deductible plans — this cost is a significant barrier to seeking care. The PCMP's telemedicine benefit has a $0 copay for unlimited consultations. There is no deductible, no per-visit fee, and no limit on the number of consultations per year. This eliminates the cost barrier entirely and makes it practical for employees to seek care for minor illnesses, follow-up consultations, and preventive care that they might otherwise delay or forgo.

What conditions can be treated via telemedicine?

Telemedicine is appropriate for a wide range of common conditions: upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, urinary tract infections, ear infections, pink eye, skin conditions, allergies, cold and flu, minor injuries, headaches, back pain, digestive issues, and more. Telemedicine physicians can also manage chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, asthma), provide mental health consultations, prescribe medications, and order lab tests. Conditions that require a physical examination, imaging, or emergency care are not appropriate for telemedicine — but these represent a small fraction of the conditions that drive most healthcare utilization.

Usage patterns: when and why employees use it

Post-enrollment surveys consistently show that the most common use cases for the $0 copay telemedicine benefit are: (1) after-hours care when the employee's regular physician is unavailable, (2) minor illnesses that don't warrant an emergency room visit but need a prescription, (3) follow-up consultations for ongoing conditions, and (4) mental health check-ins for employees who have started therapy through the PCMP's mental health benefit. The average PCMP-enrolled employee uses the telemedicine benefit 3–4 times per year — significantly higher than the national average for telemedicine utilization, which reflects the impact of the $0 copay.

The employer benefit: reduced absenteeism

Employers benefit from the telemedicine benefit in a less obvious way: reduced absenteeism. When employees can see a physician within 15 minutes from their phone, they are more likely to seek treatment early — before a minor illness becomes a multi-day absence. Studies by the National Business Group on Health have found that telemedicine access reduces absenteeism by an average of 1.2 days per employee per year. For a 20-employee company with an average daily wage of $185, that represents over $4,440 in recovered productivity annually — in addition to the $12,720 in FICA savings.

Mental health telemedicine: the fastest-growing use case

The PCMP's benefit suite includes mental health services — therapy, psychiatry, and counseling — delivered via telemedicine. This is the fastest-growing use case in the PCMP benefit suite, driven by increased awareness of mental health needs and the elimination of the cost and logistics barriers that prevent many employees from seeking care. Employees can schedule a therapy session or psychiatry consultation from their phone, with no referral required and no copay. For employers, the mental health benefit reduces presenteeism (reduced productivity due to untreated mental health conditions) — which SHRM estimates costs employers $1,500–$2,000 per affected employee per year.

Telemedicine and the future of employee healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telemedicine adoption by years. In 2019, fewer than 1% of Medicare primary care visits were conducted via telemedicine. By 2020, that figure had risen to over 40%. The trend has continued post-pandemic, with telemedicine now accounting for 15–20% of all outpatient visits in the United States. Employees who have experienced telemedicine — particularly the $0 copay version — consistently rate it as one of the most valuable benefits they receive. For employers who want to offer a benefit that employees will actually use and appreciate, telemedicine is the highest-value item in the PCMP suite.

Frequently asked questions

Is telemedicine available in all 50 states? Yes — the PCMP's telemedicine benefit is available in all 50 states. Physicians are licensed in the state where the patient is located. Can telemedicine physicians prescribe controlled substances? Telemedicine physicians can prescribe most medications, but prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine is subject to federal and state regulations that vary by substance and state. Can employees use telemedicine for their family members? The PCMP's telemedicine benefit covers the enrolled employee. Dependent coverage varies by implementation — ask your Americare specialist for details.