Canadians with an employer-provided benefits plan are 20 per cent more likely to seek care when needed and 25 per cent more likely to report better health than those without health benefits, according to a new survey by Blue Cross of Canada.
The survey, which polled more than 2,300 working adults, found those with employee health benefits were also 28 per cent more likely to have pursued health and fitness improvements in the past year. Indeed, they were more likely to seek mental-health care (88 per cent), as well as treatment from an acupuncturist (55 per cent), massage therapist (31 per cent) and nurse practitioner (24 per cent) or to visit a walk-in clinic (23 per cent).
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More than three-quarters (79 per cent) of respondents noted there are benefits to accessing health services via video/audio for convenience, with millenials (88 per cent) and generation Z (87 per cent) more likely to agree with this statement than generation X (75 per cent) and baby boomers (67 per cent). Indeed, respondents cited advantages such as not having to travel to the office (52 per cent), being able to more easily get an appointment (36 per cent), being more likely to make and/or keep an appointment (23 per cent) and having their spouse/family member being able to easily join them (14 per cent). Just 21 per cent said they prefer in-person visits.
As well, nearly all (96 per cent) respondents said working from home supports their overall health by delivering better work-life balance (58 per cent), reducing commuting stress (55 per cent), allowing them to make healthier lifestyle choices such as making dinner or exercising at lunch (41 per cent), improving their mental health (35 per cent) and making it easier for them to schedule doctor’s appointments (30 per cent) or be flexible with an existing health condition (27 per cent).
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