Bupa expects to deliver one million remote GP appointments by the end of 2024, up from 750,000 last year – potentially representing an increase of more than 30%.
This is according to Robert Bain, head of intermediary distribution at Bupa, who said: “We will deliver close to a million virtual GP consultations this year.”
Bain was speaking at a panel discussion on the economic landscape, including its ripple effects on private healthcare which took place during the Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries (AMII) Health and Wellbeing Summit in Westminster in London last week. The panel was led by Claire Ginnelly, executive vice chairperson of AMII.
Last year Bupa fell just short of 750,000 virtual GP appointments, thanks to increased demand for access to a GP.
It is a similar story for other providers as well, with technology on the rise as more people turn to digital solutions including online GPs.
Paula Coffey, director of claims, rehabilitation and medical services at Unum, said: “What we have seen which has been really positive is a massive increase in the utilisation of some of our digital services.
“So that’s been excellent as it also adds value and increases engagement.”
And according to Dr Katie Tryon, director of health strategy at Vitality Health, there has been a genuine change in market demand towards digital services.
“Demand has changed dramatically in the last five years – so you’ve got some real opportunities to really think about how you offer services,” Tryon said.
“Those changes go all the way through from how do you make sure that we are encouraging prevention, health improvement, getting to people early, getting them to change their behaviour – through to utilisation of primary health services and what that means for secondary care services.
“I think that’s really key today and important to the market.”
Other virtual GP services providers have also experienced increased usage. Health & Protection reported in October that Doctor Care Anywhere had seen its number of virtual GP consultations increase from about 15,000 per month before Covid to more than 60,000 now.
And in June, Health & Protection reported that virtual GP appointments and other primary care services made up two-thirds (64%) of all Vitality Health claims in 2023.
