Preventive care in the workplace
When illness strikes, it can impact productivity and morale. But with the right support, your team can stay healthier and your business can stay on track. Helping employees get the care they need before they get sick is key.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States are or are related to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer or diabetes. These conditions are also costing 90 percent of $4.5 trillion the U.S. spends on health care each year. The reality is, however, many of these chronic diseases can be effectively managed or avoided with annual preventive exams and a strong relationship with a primary care provider.
With these statistics in mind, it’s important for your employees to take advantage of their fully covered, preventive care benefits through your employer-sponsored health plan. Not only does preventive care save employees’ lives and reduce costs in the long run, it saves your business money and improves productivity.
Preventive care means healthy, productive employees
Preventive care is an easy way for your employees to get their health questions answered, complete screenings and receive any needed immunizations. Even better, preventive services are covered at no cost when your employees see an in-network provider. This means no questions about copays, deductibles or coinsurance — employees just need to schedule their appointment.
Ready-to-use resources to keep your team thriving
Helping your employees find a primary care provider has never been easier. The myWellmark® employer toolkit offers free, ready-to-use resources to help your workplace prioritize preventive care — including tips for finding a primary care provider.
Four ways to get every employee engaged in preventive care
If you’re finding it difficult to get employees to participate in preventive services, consider these resources to help simplify your employees’ benefits.
1.
Encourage employees to find in-network doctors and compare costs
Employees can use myWellmark to make sure a provider or facility is in network and get price estimates for treatments and procedures. Remind them that preventive care is free as long as it’s received by an in-network provider.
Looking for an easy way to share myWellmark with your employees? We have the resources for you. The myWellmark employer toolkit has ready-to-use materials that make it easier to share with your employees.
2.
Offer on-site wellness screenings
On-site wellness screenings bring awareness to the health risks facing your organization and individual employees. Wellmark’s wellness screening options provide flexibility in selecting the services that meet your organization’s unique needs — and keeping your bottom line in mind. Interested in this add-on option for your workplace? Contact your authorized Wellmark account representative today.
3.
Educate employees about Wellmark Case Management
When employees don’t receive adequate support for their unmanaged chronic conditions, they tend to have more health care-related costs and frequent trips to the doctor, which can impact your company’s bottom line. The Wellmark Case Management Program uses a team of clinically trained professionals to assist with your employees’ unique health needs and improve health outcomes. Employees can get connected with case management with no referral needed.
4.
Direct employees to BlueSM
Looking for easy and helpful preventive care resources to give to your employees? Blue has everything your employees need to feel prepared and empowered – so they can engage in their care and become their own health care advocate.
We’re here to help
When you have a business-sponsored health plan through Wellmark, your employees have access to our easy-to-use tools and resources, including our secure member site, myWellmark. By encouraging your employees to log in or register for myWellmark, you make it easy for employees to see their benefits in action and to learn more about the importance of preventive services.
Download the myWellmark employer toolkit at no cost to easily share the value of myWellmark. Because when your employees understand their benefits, they’re more likely to use them.