Gary Sawatzky | Chief Operating Officer, ARTA
On November 1, 2023, ARTA rolled out an innovative and beneficial service for members who are covered under ARTA’s Extended Health Care plans — telemedicine services.
As we age, staying on top of our health becomes more important, but also more challenging. Visits to your family physician (if you are fortunate enough to have one — recent studies indicate that 22% of Canadians do not), medication management, and specialist appointments can mean a lot of travel, waiting, and coordination.
Having telemedicine services available to our members means that they have nearly immediate access to a Canadian licensed physician, twenty-four hours a day. This is especially beneficial for members who live outside major cities or those with mobility issues. Telemedicine is a modern solution that is making health care more accessible, convenient, and comfortable for ARTA benefit plan members.
You can access telemedicine through chat messages and phone or video calls, without needing to go to a doctor’s office. You can talk to a physician, get prescriptions, or have requisitions ordered right from home using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Since the physician you are speaking to is licensed to practise in your province of residence, they have access to your electronic health records and can see your medical history and any medications you have been prescribed in the past.
Telemedicine has a number of benefits:
1. No more waiting rooms or long drives
With telemedicine, you can speak to a physician or health-care provider from your living room, even in bad weather or if you’re not feeling well enough to travel.
2. No delays
There are often delays in seeing your family physician, such as on those days or weeks when they have no appointments available.
3. Better access, especially in rural areas
Many ARTA members live in smaller towns or rural areas where health-care optionsare limited. Telemedicine connects you to physicians and specialists from across the province without leaving home.
4. Managing chronic conditions
If you live with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease, regular monitoring and follow-ups are easier with virtual visits.
5. Reduced costs
Less travel means saving money on gas, parking, or public transit.
Many members find that once they try it, telemedicine becomes quite comfortable. Family members or caregivers can also join the call, which can help with understanding instructions or asking questions. Telemedicine is intended to complement — not replace — in-person care or your family physician. Many doctors now offer a mix of both in-person and telemedicine appointments, depending on what’s best for the patient.
This flexibility is especially valuable for retirees who are managing multiple conditions or those with transportation challenges.
ARTA’s telemedicine service is available via the MyARTA Health Hub. Clicking on the link to telemedicine will quickly connect you with a physician.
The ease of use and effectiveness of telemedicine has even prompted some provinces to start using it to provide better access to health care for residents without a family physician, those who do not have easy access to a medical facility, or those who are uneasy about going to an emergency department.
After a successful trial, Nova Scotia rolled out access to telemedicine for all residents in the fall of 2023 (incidentally using the same provider used by ARTA), and some limited telemedicine is being offered to residents of Alberta, British Columbia, and New Brunswick.
If you have not yet had the opportunity, keep ARTA’s telemedicine option in mind the next time you need a physician’s opinion in a timely manner, if you need a prescription, or if you aren’t able to see your own family physician.
Click here to see how ARTA Benefit plans also supports your mental health in retirement with access to GreenShield Counselling
After working in group benefits consulting for twenty years, Gary joined ARTA to serve as Chief Operating Officer in November 2017. Gary has his certified Employee Benefits Specialist designation.