As the healthcare industry is doing more flips than a caffeinated gymnast, virtual care has solidified its position as a game-changing trend—and it shows no signs of slowing down. With more patients and providers opting for telehealth services, insurance agents and brokers need to stay informed about the rise of virtual care and its implications for the industry in 2025.
Here’s a look at how virtual care is transforming healthcare and insurance, and why it’s an essential trend for agents and brokers to keep on their radar.
Telehealth Is Here to Stay
Telehealth wasn’t just a temporary solution during the Pandemic—it’s become a permanent fixture in healthcare. Even as in-person visits have resumed, virtual care remains popular due to its convenience and accessibility. Patients love the ease of accessing healthcare from their homes, and providers appreciate the ability to offer care without the limitations of geography.
A McKinsey report shows that telehealth use has stabilized at levels nearly 40 times higher than before the Pandemic. And it’s not just primary care doctors getting on board. Specialties like dentistry, dermatology, neurology, and even cardiology are embracing virtual visits as an effective way to treat patients. Remote care options like tele-triage, e-prescribing, and virtual urgent care are also gaining traction, providing more comprehensive care for patients across the country.
The Digital-First Approach to Healthcare
In 2025, we’re seeing a growing shift towards digital-first healthcare plans. Insurance carriers like UnitedHealthcare and Cigna have rolled out virtual-first health plans that prioritize remote care as the primary mode of treatment. This digital-first approach streamlines patient care and reduces costs for both providers and patients.
As these plans continue to gain popularity, insurance agents need to be aware of how virtual-first healthcare can benefit their clients. Patients enjoy lower costs and increased access to care, especially those in rural areas or those with transportation challenges. These plans also help reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes by allowing providers to focus on patient care rather than managing physical office logistics.
Key Benefits of Virtual Care
As virtual care continues to expand, it’s clear that both patients and providers stand to benefit. Here are some of the top reasons why virtual healthcare is gaining momentum in 2025:
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Cost Savings for Patients and Providers: Virtual visits eliminate the need for transportation, reducing costs for patients. They also minimize overhead costs for healthcare providers by reducing the need for physical office space.
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Increased Access to Care: Virtual care removes geographical barriers, making it easier for patients to access specialists and receive timely care, regardless of their location.
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Improved Patient Safety: For high-risk patients, virtual care offers a safer alternative to in-person visits, reducing exposure to illnesses and providing peace of mind.
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More Holistic Care: Seeing patients in their home environments allows providers to better understand the context of their health, leading to more personalized and holistic care.
Overcoming Barriers to Virtual Care
Despite its many benefits, virtual care still faces a few challenges in 2025. Some patients struggle with technology, while others may not have reliable internet access. Healthcare providers are working to address these issues by offering tech support, loaner devices, and even partnering with community organizations to improve access to virtual care.
Another challenge is ensuring the quality of care remains high during virtual visits. Providers are developing best practices to maintain patient engagement and ensure accurate diagnoses, even in a remote setting. Insurance agents can play a key role here by helping their clients choose providers that prioritize quality and accessibility in their virtual care offerings.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Virtual Care
As we look to the future, it’s clear that virtual care will continue to evolve and shape the healthcare industry. Emerging technologies like AI-powered diagnostics, wearable health devices, and remote monitoring tools are making virtual care even more efficient and effective. These advancements are likely to create even more opportunities for insurance agents to support their clients with comprehensive virtual care solutions.
For insurance agents and brokers, staying informed about these trends is crucial. By understanding the latest developments in virtual care, you can offer your clients better guidance on which insurance plans and healthcare providers will meet their needs in 2025 and beyond.
Final Thoughts: Why Agents Should Keep Virtual Care on Their Radar
Virtual care has gone from a niche offering to a cornerstone of modern healthcare. As we move through 2025, insurance agents and brokers must stay ahead of the curve by understanding the impact of telehealth on insurance plans and patient care. With virtual-first plans becoming more common, and technology continuing to drive healthcare innovation, virtual care is an essential trend that agents need to be prepared for.
By staying informed about the latest trends in virtual care and partnering with insurance carriers that offer robust telehealth options, you can ensure that your clients are receiving the best possible care—wherever they are.
