How do urgent care, telemedicine, and virtual primary care fit into our overall plan design?

Each care option plays a unique role in making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and coordinated. When designed around strong primary care, these services work together to reduce ER visits, improve employee satisfaction, and keep costs predictable.

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• Primary Care (The Foundation): Primary care should always be the first stop. It manages preventive care, chronic conditions, prescriptions, and referrals, keeping employees healthy and connected to a provider who understands their full health picture.
  
  • Goal: Build lasting relationships and address most health concerns early.
• Virtual Primary Care (Everyday Access, Anywhere): Virtual primary care extends that same relationship online. Employees can connect by video or message for preventive visits, follow-ups, or medication management,without missing work.
  
  • Goal: Remove barriers like travel, scheduling, or cost, and keep care consistent. With Vitable, members get $0 access to virtual and in-home primary care for everyday needs.
• Urgent Care (The Backup Option): Urgent care is best for same-day, non-emergency issues (sprains, infections, minor injuries). It should supplement, not replace, primary care.
  
  • Goal: Provide fast, affordable care when primary care isn’t available. Plans that lead with primary care typically see fewer unnecessary urgent care and ER visits.
• Telemedicine (Quick, Issue-Specific Support): Telemedicine offers on-demand care for minor, short-term issues like rashes or sinus infections. It’s convenient, but it doesn’t replace ongoing primary care.
  
  • Goal: Provide immediate help for simple concerns while keeping continuity through primary care.

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How to integrate these services effectively:

• Lead with primary care as the main entry point.
• Use virtual primary care for convenience and continuity.
• Position telemedicine and urgent care as backup options for immediate needs.
• Keep all options $0 or low-cost to encourage the right use at the right time.

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Vitable brings all of these services together in one seamless experience. Every member gets $0 access to primary care (virtual or in-home), mental health support, prescriptions, and urgent visits. This eliminates confusion and ensures employees always know where to turn for care.

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Design your plan so primary care is the first line of defense and urgent care or telemedicine act as reliable backups. When employees can access care anytime, anywhere (without worrying about cost or confusion) they stay healthier and your organization saves.