Virtual Care is becoming a pillar of modern employee benefits. The latest data shows continued growth in virtual care adoption, employee preference for digital-first options, and a shift in how large employers think about care delivery.
If you’re a benefits consultant or broker helping clients plan for open enrollment or long-term strategy, these numbers can help guide the conversation.
Looking for the full list of insights?
These takeaways are based on 29 eye-opening telemedicine and virtual care stats that every benefits consultant should know. If you haven’t seen the full breakdown yet, it’s worth the read.
Here’s what the latest virtual care stats really means and how to turn them into actions
Rising Utilization Signals a Shift in Expectations
Stat to Know: Nearly 40% of employees now prefer virtual care over in-person visits for routine or non-urgent needs.
What it means:
Employees aren’t just using virtual care — they’re choosing it. This preference is especially strong among Gen Z and millennials, who make up a growing share of the workforce.
For your clients:
Recommend benefits packages that center virtual care and do not treat it as a backup. A virtual-first model can boost satisfaction while reducing claims costs and absenteeism.
Preventive Care Is Still Being Delayed
Stat to Know: Over 90% of Americans have postponed a check-up or screening in the last year.
What it means:
Despite having benefits in place, many employees are falling behind on preventive care, which can lead to more expensive treatment later.
For your clients:
Use virtual care to remove barriers, especially time, cost, and access. Suggest plans that include virtual primary care and mental health with zero-dollar copays to make preventive care the path of least resistance.
Mental Health Demand Continues to Surge
Stat to Know: 1 in 3 employees have used virtual mental health services in the past year —and many want more consistent access.
What it means:
Mental health is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a non-negotiable part of a competitive benefits offering.
For your clients:
Look for virtual care partners who provide on-demand counseling, therapy continuity, and integrated primary and mental health care. These services are often underutilized due to lack of awareness — help your clients change that.
High ER Usage Points to Gaps in Care Navigation
Stat to Know: Nearly 40% of younger employees use the ER or urgent care as their main source of care.
What it means:
Many employees either don’t know how to navigate their benefits or don’t have the time. That leads to costly, avoidable claims.
For your clients:
Recommend bundling virtual urgent care with navigation tools and 24/7 access. When employees know exactly where to go and how to get care, unnecessary ER visits drop — along with costs
Employers Are Eager to Innovate
Stat to Know: 73% of large employers are advancing their primary care strategy, including virtual-first designs.
What it means:
Virtual-first care is no longer fringe — it’s gaining serious momentum. Employers are seeing results in access, engagement, and ROI.
For your clients:
Position virtual care as a strategic lever — not just a plug-in. Help clients evaluate vendors based on utilization, member satisfaction, and service breadth to support whole-person care.
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These trends are backed by real-world data.
If you want to dig deeper into the stats behind these insights, check out our full list of 29 virtual care statistics for 2025 and beyond. It’s packed with powerful proof points to help guide client conversations.
See the StatsIdentifying the right virtual care model for your clients.
These virtual care stats tell a story. It's one of rising expectations, changing habits, and opportunities to do better. The most successful benefits strategies in 2025 and beyond will be built around data-driven, employee-centered virtual care.
See how First Stop Health partners with benefits consultants to deliver easy, affordable virtual care that works.
