JACKSON, Miss. – If you are sick, it could mean taking time off work, driving to see a doctor, and waiting in a waiting room with a bunch of other sick people. For workers at companies like Bank Plus, Nissan, and the Beau Rivage, they can access a doctor at their workplace over the internet.
Tuesday, the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) Center for Telehealth partnered with Gov. Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Development Authority to announced their new corporate Telehealth program to provide virtual health care in the workplace.
“UMMC recognizes the challenge for employees to find time to get health care and to stay healthy so we started our Corporate Telehealth program to make it easier,” said Dr. Kristi Henderson, UMMC’s chief telehealth and innovation officer. “Our program provides convenient and accessible health care services to employees in the workplace. A healthier workforce creates a healthier company.”
According to Henderson companies can contact UMMC’s Center for Telehealth, and representatives from the center will meet with company leaders to personalize the corporate telehealth program to their business, setting up the equipment, and training employees. Typically, the program cost a flat rate of of $7.99 per employee per month for unlimited access.
Employees needing health-care consults connect to the UMMC Telehealth Clinic by entering a virtual waiting room on a computer or device in the workplace. Then the UMMC health provider and employee interact in a live video session to assess and diagnose the employee’s condition. A treatment plan is created and prescriptions are e-prescribed for same-day pick-up at a local pharmacy.
The UMMC Corporate Telehealth program launched in May 2014. With eight corporations currently enrolled, health care in the workplace is available to more than 2,600 employees across the state with plans to expand to 3,500 employees by January.
Video of Governor Phil Bryant demoing the corporate telehealth program:
