Navigating open enrollment during a pandemic: What employers should prioritize
Here are three key areas employers should focus on to provide the greatest support to its employees.
Amid the current global pandemic, the need to reimagine health care has never been greater. It’s an opportunity for us to see how we can deliver health care that is holistic, personalized, high tech and high touch – and available to everyone.
More than ever, there is a need to focus on health care that is worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable. This is also where my passion lies after more than two decades of working in the health care industry.
Related: Why health care should not ‘return to normal’ post-COVID
As we embark on open enrollment in a year that is anything but business as usual, there are three key areas employers should focus on to provide the greatest support to its employees.
Communicate virtual care options
Telehealth and virtual care are not new options, but COVID-19 has shown us that this type of health care is here to stay. The pandemic has accelerated the number of members relying on these services in recent months and ultimately changed the way health care is delivered. These virtual care options now provide a range of digital platforms that enable patients to connect with their doctor via smartphone or computer. While people may go back to seeing their doctors more frequently in person when this pandemic has ended, virtual health care will continue to provide convenience and affordability that is more appealing than in-person visits.
Employers should look for options to provide a telehealth benefit if one is not already offered. Frequent communication to employees about how best to access virtual care, what is covered and how they can utilize it to receive the care they need is necessary. When this pandemic subsides, health care will have forever changed in the way in which it is delivered. The digital age in health care is here to stay and employees need options for care now and in the months and years to come.
Acknowledge the importance of mental health benefits
In addition to virtual care, addressing mental health needs has also become a key topic during this pandemic. Employees are facing unique challenges as they try to balance working from home, caring for elderly parents and assisting with homeschooling children. Most recently the wildfires throughout California are contributing to poor air quality which means even more time indoors and without physical activity. We know all these factors can have a tremendous impact on one’s mental health.
Employers should emphasize the mental health benefits provided to employees, including those specific to supporting children and young adults. Recently, The New State of Mind Report was launched as a digital mental health guide for youth by youth. The guide provides young people with peer-to-peer tips on self-care, managing stress from digital learning and supporting the mental health of fellow classmates. Mental health tools for members of all ages are essential to ensuring everyone has the support they need during this pandemic.
Communicate frequently about what mental health resources your employees have access to and ensure that information is distributed in multiple ways, whether by email, videos or internal blogs. Be clear, concise and enable them to find the resources easily. Brokers and consultants play a key role in this and you should ask them the questions that will help you help your employees. The importance of communication, particularly when it comes to mental health resources, is invaluable.
Consider high-performance networks
Health benefit plans that offer high-performance provider networks are becoming increasingly desirable to employees. These networks are also known as accountable care organizations (ACO) and they are designed to provide members a better care experience with more coordinated care and convenient ways to access that care.
This leads to high-quality care while making care delivery more affordable. Lowering costs and increasing the quality of services ensures there is a greater focus on the members.
Whether we are in open enrollment or in the midst of a global pandemic – or in this case, both – we must continue to focus on reimagining health care by putting people at the center and designing better ways for people to receive care.
Don Antonucci serves as Senior Vice President of Growth for Blue Shield of California. He has more than two decades of experience in the health care industry and is the host of the “Healthy Dose of Dialogue” podcast available on the Apple iTunes/Podcast app. The monthly podcast invites healthcare leaders to share fresh perspectives and engage in healthy dialogue about marketplace trends and industry insights impacting health care today.
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