Some U.S. employers and insurers want you to make telemedicine your first choice for most doctor visits. Retail giant Amazon and several insurers have started or expanded virtual-first care plans to get people thinking telemedicine routinely, even for annual checkups. They’re trying to make it easier for patients to connect with a regular doctor by using remote care that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates say this approach can keep patients healthy and out of expensive hospitals. But some doctors worry that it may create an over-reliance on virtual visits.
Employers, insurers push to make virtual visits regular care
