Telemedicine Annual Outcomes and Savings

With our exciting news of no increase in health plan premiums for 2021, you may wonder how this is possible or what things might be happening behind the scenes to balance health-care costs and, in the end, give these dollars back to our participating churches and members. One significant way has been in the utilization outcomes and savings through our telemedicine benefit. Did you know that the Alliance Health Plan saved almost $73,000 in this area alone last year? Let’s dive into some details and see how our health plan participants, and the choices they’re making, are helping to bring overall plan costs down.

The overview below is given to us by our telemedicine provider, First Stop Health, with results from our contract year of 7/1/19-6/30/20. It is important to note that while Alliance Benefits receives general data, personal information remains with First Stop Health and is 100% confidential for health plan members.

Between 7/1/19-6/30/20, we had 374 completed telemedicine visits, equaling 50% utilization, and $72,981 in savings from various outcomes. The telemedicine utilization industry average is 7%, so we are far exceeding the norm!

Savings from Outcomes

Employee Time Savings

With the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, you’ll notice a similar uptick trend in visits, peaking at 58 visits in March 2020.

Member Visits between 7/1/19-6/30/20

If statistics tell us anything, it’s that telemedicine is only going to continue growing. With the recent pandemic and drastic increase in global usage, we’d like to thank First Stop Health for how they’ve responded and cared for our Alliance members. Absorbing extensive changes in 2020, they not only continue to meet our needs but go above and beyond with their excellent service.

What Alliance Health Plan Members Are Saying

“I dreaded having to go to a walk-in clinic and waste an hour or two of my day until I remembered First Stop Health. I read one review that said it took 20 minutes and decided to give it a try. My experience was very similar. The doctor returned my call within 15-20 minutes and I was able to get something to help me with my sinus infection. I will definitely use this service again!”

Alliance Health Plan member

“My first encounter with First Stop Health was a positive one. I think the concept behind First Stop Health and their execution of it are real winners!”

Alliance Health Plan member

“I called with a case of strep throat and consulted with a doctor in less than 10 minutes. Thank you so much for working so quickly!”

Alliance Health Plan member

“The doctor was nice and caring, called right away, and I was well taken care of. It was also very simple to pay after receiving their email confirmation. I will use this service again.”

Alliance Health Plan member

“I had a great experience with First Stop Health. Since I live some distance from my primary care doctor, it was very convenient to be able to call and get a prescription after several days of not feeling well. After the initial call, the doctor called me back right away. He was very thorough in his questions before he made his diagnosis. I would definitely use this service again.”

Alliance Health Plan member

For more information or to request an online visit, log in to your account at fshealth.com, download their mobile app on the App Store® or Google Play™, or call (888) 691-7867.