1. Introduction: The Strategic Imperative of Virtual Health in 2026

The iPMI Global Telemedicine and Remote Healthcare Strategies Round Table served as a high-level convergence of "The Best Views from the World of iPMI," marking a definitive shift in the global healthcare architecture. Once a desperate emergency response to a global pandemic, telemedicine has matured into a core strategic imperative for the world’s most mobile populations. For expatriates, maritime workers, and international travellers, virtual health is no longer a "plan B"—it is the backbone of the modern safety net. This article analyses the primary market drivers moving the sector toward clinical utility, the strategic necessity of the "human touch," and the sophisticated technical and regulatory landscape currently defining the future of remote care. As we move beyond the rapid expansion of the early 2020s, the focus has pivoted toward deep integration and proactive health management.

In an era where access is the ultimate currency in international healthcare, HealthcareLive is dismantling traditional barriers. By combining a proprietary digital ecosystem with a nationwide network of specialists, the company is proving that the right care at the right time isn't just a clinical goal—it’s a cost-containment powerhouse.

For international private medical insurance (iPMI) providers and global employers, the challenge has always been the same: how do you deliver high-quality, specialized medical care to a mobile or remote workforce without the spiraling costs of emergency room visits and unnecessary surgeries?

When most of us think of telemedicine, we picture the video call that boomed during the pandemic—a convenient tool for a minor issue, a necessary adaptation in a crisis. But to see it as just a digital waiting room is to miss the point entirely. This view barely scratches the surface of a much deeper, more radical transformation in how we manage health.

HealthcareLive is proud to announce its participation in the iPMI Global Telemedicine and Remote Healthcare Strategies Round Table 2025. Dr. Mike Greiwe, MD, Founder and CEO of HealthcareLive, joined an elite panel of industry executives to discuss the future of virtual health and the critical role of remote care for globally mobile populations.

With Gitte Bach, CEO, New Frontier Group

In its early stages, telehealth was often seen as a convenient substitute to traditional care—something to use when an in-person visit wasn’t feasible or practical. It was reactive, filling gaps in care access during off-hours or remote travel or during the pandemic. But that limited perspective is not the optimal way to serve the globally mobile population we support today.

At New Frontier Group (NFG), we believe telehealth should be viewed not just as an alternative to urgent care, but as an embedded, intentional, and data-informed component of global cost management. For IPMI members, this reframed approach has the power to improve outcomes, elevate the patient experience, and reduce waste across the healthcare continuum.

The Asia-Pacific Telemedicine Market is expected to reach US$ 215.53 billion by 2033 from US$ 28.51 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 25.2% from 2025 to 2033. The growing need for remote healthcare services, better access to healthcare in underserved areas, and developments in telehealth technology and telecommunications infrastructure are the main factors propelling the Asia-Pacific telemedicine market.

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE: HIMS), the leading health and wellness platform, has announced a significant step in its global expansion through its agreement to acquire ZAVA, a leading digital health platform in Europe. This strategic move will expand Hims & Hers' footprint in the United Kingdom and will officially launch the company into Germany, France, and Ireland, with more markets anticipated soon. This acquisition is expected to accelerate Hims & Hers' vision to deliver the same seamless, personalized care experience it has successfully built in the U.S. to millions more people globally. Hims & Hers will establish its own branded presence, leveraging the robust ZAVA platform, in each of these European markets in the coming quarters.

Teladoc Health has announced it has acquired UpLift, an innovative and tech-enabled provider of virtual mental health therapy, psychiatry and medication management services.  

The acquisition supports the company’s strategy to further enhance its leadership position in virtual mental health, including the ability for consumers served by its BetterHelp segment to access benefits coverage for mental health services.   UpLift serves the health plan market and has arrangements covering over 100 million lives, a network of over 1,500 mental health professionals, important capabilities and a talented team.