SSQ Insurance announced Jan. 29 that it is partnering with the Dialogue virtual platform to provide its employees and insured members with telemedicine services.

The platform allows users same-day access to a health professional via a secure videoconference. Services offered include video consultations with general practitioners, live chats with nurses, prescriptions and renewals, as well as referrals to specialists.

Modernizing employee benefits

SSQ says the introduction of the platform to its group insurance offering underlines the importance “of modernizing employee benefits to meet the needs of today's workplace.” The insurer has also decided to provide access to the Dialogue platform to all of its employees.

"Since March 2017, we have been working closely with Dialogue on how best to integrate their solution into a group insurance context. We have confirmed the relevance of this platform to employers and are convinced of the benefits for them as well as for all of their employees," said Louis Régimbal, Vice-President of Strategy and Innovation at SSQ Insurance in an announcement.

Reducing absenteeism

SSQ says it already refers some of its group insurance customers to Dialogue, and “is now paving the way for full integration with the Dialogue platform to be incorporated into its group insurance offering across Canada in the coming months. Eligible employers will be able to offer their employees a better work-life balance, while helping to reduce absenteeism,” says the insurer.