Creating a more equitable workplace: Don't forget your health plan
To truly create a more equitable workplace, employers need to tailor health plans to fit the needs of all employees.
One of the many positive changes we saw in 2021 was employers stepping up to the plate to take action to promote diversity and inclusion within their companies. For many, it’s a monumental undertaking, requiring a deep scrutiny of hiring practices, benefits offerings, work environment and strategic goals.
Realistically, not every company that sets out to improve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in 2021 will succeed–in fact, it’s a transition that will likely take years to see meaningful and measurable results. Companies that try to do too much at one time will feel overwhelmed and discouraged by the results. A much better strategy is to break down the process into smaller, incremental steps. But where to start? How about the biggest non-salary employee expense: health care.
Related: Building a benefits plan that supports DEI: Developing a comprehensive strategy
To truly create a more equitable workplace, employers need to tailor health plans to fit the needs of all employees. Here are some ways more inclusive health and benefits offerings lead to better health outcomes, according to Stephanie Williams, vice president of clinical solutions at Maestro Health.
From your perspective, what does discrimination look like in health care?
To understand discrimination within the health care system, we need to first consider the social determinants of health (SDOH). A person’s SDOH includes the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age that impact their access to health care. Living in a pharmacy or food desert or a neighborhood without reliable public transportation is an example of how someone’s zip code might impact their everyday health.
How does discrimination within the health care system affect employees?
Employees who don’t have access to quality health hare or aren’t educated on the resources available to them are more vulnerable to health risks. In a recent survey, Maestro Health found 61% of Americans are more concerned about the medical bill than their health when receiving care. If employees don’t pursue treatment to avoid high medical expenses, they’re not taking proper care of their overall well-being, which could lead to long-term health conditions.
What role do employers play in making the health care system more equitable?
For employers looking to add wellness programs to their overall benefits packages, consider how employees’ diverse set of experiences and backgrounds impact their overall well-being. From there, work with a clinical care management provider who can help personalize clinical and wellness offerings to the individual—meeting them where they are on their own health care journey, thereby improving health outcomes. Personalized health options is an overlooked factor when administering health care benefits.
By acknowledging that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to employee well-being, you can identify the gaps and barriers certain employees experience in their access to care and provide personalized resources that will help them overcome those obstacles and feel in control of their health. For example, if an employee with a chronic disease is struggling to get to doctors’ appointments, employer-sponsored programs can provide access to highly skilled clinicians or patient advocates who can help direct employees to affordable, convenient health care options.
Many organizations want to act with the employee in mind. Few realize how these actions can have an impact on their overall health and well-being. Investing in tailored resources and clinical programs helps improve employee health outcomes and also saves your organization money in the end—the fewer doctor visits and medical procedures your employees need, the fewer claims they submit. By understanding your employees’ access to care and educating them on their opportunities to lower their health care costs, you can reduce the overall cost of health care to your business.
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