How technology may help make health care simpler and more affordable
Technology is reshaping many aspects of life, including how people use their health care benefits.
Employers that focus on using technology as a way of simplifying the health care experience for the workforce may find it increases employee satisfaction and retention while reducing costs — for both employees and the organization.
Here are some tips for employers looking to make the most of technology in health care:
Consider offering a health plan with a simple provider search experience
Eligible UnitedHealthcare commercial members now have access to Smart Choice through the UnitedHealthcare® app or myuhc.com®.
Smart Choice is an easy-to-use, enhanced provider search capability designed to help provide greater health benefit personalization, easier access to care, and more informed choices for members, all of which may lead to better health outcomes and lower costs.
With Smart Choice eligible members can more easily find care providers who meet nationally recognized standards*. Smart Choice helps members more easily find and access care with providers who meet criteria for safe, timely, effective and efficient quality care, based in part on nationally recognized standards*. Members can also access board certification status and consumer ratings and reviews with Smart Choice.
Smart Choice uses advanced technology to help members more easily find quality network providers who also meet the member’s selected preferences. It provides a straightforward approach to navigating care options by displaying a score that reflects which providers most closely match members’ search criteria.
Support employees with innovative wellness programs
Some wellness programs can help people stay focused on their health goals, in part by utilizing technology. For example, UnitedHealthcare’s Level2® combines the technology of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), easy-to-use member mobile app and a virtual care team of doctors, nurses, registered dietitians and a coach. Level2 aims to help people living with type 2 diabetes gain valuable insights to help improve their glucose levels.
Integrate programs that help employees save more money
UnitedHealthcare, for example, offers a program called Care Cash** to eligible members. Care Cash features a preloaded debit card that can be used to help pay towards cost sharing for certain eligible network health care expenses like primary care and urgent care visits.
Members receive $200 for the year for individual coverage or $500 for family coverage. Members can search for eligible Care Cash providers, view card balance, review card transactions and reload their card when applicable through the Care Cash experience. By incentivizing people to access preventive care, Care Cash is designed to help drive positive health behaviors, which may improve health outcomes and lower the overall costs of care.
With UHC Rewards, eligible members earn financial incentives for completing healthy habits that can be added to a pre-paid debit card or deposited into an HSA. Participants who add a fitness tracker have even more opportunities to earn rewards. Daily and one-time rewards activities include things like completing an annual wellness exam, walking 5,000 steps a day or getting a biometric screening.
Offer digital mental health support
Many employees now expect accessible and flexible mental health offerings — such as therapy apps and virtual counseling, which can provide convenient, confidential support. By integrating these resources into health benefits packages, employers can help reduce mental health stigma, promote early intervention and improve employee productivity and retention.
One example is Calm Health. It’s an evidence-based mental health app that provides personalized support to help users manage their well-being. Calm Health offers resources to help support in-the-moment mental health, including:
- Mental health screenings
- Coaching and therapy referrals
- Personalized programs and daily self-care content.
In a digital world, ensuring mental health care is just a click away can help reflect a modern, compassionate workplace culture.
Don’t forget about virtual care
Virtual care, also called telehealth, has expanded from helping people who are already sick to detecting and preventing illnesses and more effectively managing chronic conditions. Many employees enjoy the flexibility offered by virtual care, and some plans are now built around it. Virtual care offers 24/7 access to urgent care, in addition to access to medical and behavioral health and other care via a smartphone, tablet or computer — and transitions to in-person support, when necessary.
Other options may include virtual primary care for regular health visits or virtual therapy for care from a behavioral health professional.
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