MAXIS GBN

Find out more about how a telemedicine solution can help improve your employees’ access to healthcare

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to escalate and is now considered a global pandemicand local health services care for the critically ill, can patients look to technology to help give them access to medical services?

Officials from both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) urged the use of telehealth/telemedicine services – also known as virtual/remote care/e-health – to help triage the sick and reduce the numbers of people in already crowded medical facilities2.

What is telemedicine and e-health?

According to the WHO, “Telehealth involves the use of telecommunications and virtual technology to deliver healthcare outside of traditional healthcare facilities. Telehealth, which requires access only to telecommunications, is the most basic element of “eHealth”, which uses a wider range of information and communication technologies.”3

As well as traditional telephone services, mobile phone apps, live video conferencing and mobile patient monitoring all play a role in telemedicine programmes to help provide first line medical consultation and ongoing treatment for chronic conditions.

How can telemedicine help during the COVID-19 outbreak?

With large gatherings and events being cancelled to help limit the spread of the virus, as well as governments and experts encouraging isolation or quarantine for those with any symptoms, telemedicine can play a role in triaging those in isolation.

Dr Leena Johns, Head of Health & Wellness at MAXIS GBN, says “It’s in moments like these that access to telemedicine services can prove to be a real gamechanger. Employees and their dependents with flu and cold symptoms could consider video-calls as opposed to in-person visits to healthcare providers as a first step.

“Telemedicine can also help people suffering from other non-emergency conditions during the outbreak, such as an upset stomach, headache, musculoskeletal pains or dermatology conditions. They may want to use the services of a doctor via the telemedicine line from the comfort of their home, to avoid long waits in medical centres and the potent exposure to viruses in a crowded setting.”

If you would like to find out more about how telemedicine can help, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your MAXIS representative. 


1Anon, BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-51839944 (source March 2020)
2 Erin Brodwin, statnews.com https://www.statnews.com/2020/02/28/coronavirus-telehealth-digital-health-us-hospitals-companies-face-challenges/ (sourced March 2020)
3 Anon, The World Health Organization https://www.who.int/sustainable-development/health-sector/strategies/telehealth/en/ (sourced March 2020)

 

This document has been prepared by MAXIS GBN and is for informational purposes only – it does not constitute advice. MAXIS GBN has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this document has been obtained from reliable sources, but cannot guarantee accuracy or completeness. The information contained in this document may be subject to change at any time without notice. Any reliance you place on this information is therefore strictly at your own risk. This document is strictly private and confidential, and should not be copied, distributed or reproduced in whole or in part, or passed to any third party.

The MAXIS Global Benefits Network (“Network”) is a network of locally licensed MAXIS member insurance companies (“Members”) founded by AXA France Vie, Paris, France (AXA) and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, NY (MLIC). MAXIS GBN, registered with ORIAS under number 16000513, and with its registered office at 313, Terrasses de l’Arche – 92 727 Nanterre Cedex, France, is an insurance and reinsurance intermediary that promotes the Network. MAXIS GBN is jointly owned by affiliates of AXA and MLIC and does not issue policies or provide insurance; such activities are carried out by the Members. MAXIS GBN operates in the UK through UK establishment with its registered address at 1st Floor, The Monument Building, 11 Monument Street, London EC3R 8AF, Establishment Number BR018216 and in other European countries on a services basis. MAXIS GBN operates in the U.S. through MetLife Insurance Brokerage, Inc., with its address at 200 Park Avenue, NY, NY, 10166, a NY licensed insurance broker. MLIC is the only Member licensed to transact insurance business in NY. The other Members are not licensed or authorised to do business in NY and the policies and contracts they issue have not been approved by the NY Superintendent of Financial Services, are not protected by the NY state guaranty fund, and are not subject to all of the laws of NY.