Employee preventive care: A game plan for better health outcomes
One key to maintaining good employee health: Encouraging employees to not wait until they're already sick to go to the doctor. Age-appropriate screenings, routine monitoring and regular check-ups outside of being sick — called preventive care — can support better health outcomes and even lead to earlier, more effective treatment. Plus, depending on their age and your benefit design, much of what's considered preventive care is covered without any cost to your employees.
So, what preventive care strategies can you implement as an employer? The following Wellmark resources make it easy to create a winning preventive care game plan. (Note: With credit, you may post any of these preventive care resource articles to your organization's intranet site.)
1.
Connect employees with a primary care provider
Having a strong relationship with a primary care provider (PCP) has been proven to lead to better health outcomes and lower costs. Employees should select and see their PCP for regular preventive care, minor injuries, acute illnesses, chronic condition management and referrals to specialists.
Resources to share
When employees consistently see the same primary care provider, they’re more likely to stay up to date on preventive screenings and receive regular monitoring for conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes — which are key drivers of long‑term health outcomes.
Consider sharing the following articles with employees to help them learn how a PCP can improve their health and qualities to look for in a supportive PCP.
- The importance of a primary care provider – This article highlights the role of a PCP and the services they provide.
- PCP vs specialist: the difference in dollars – Some employees may see a specialist for care, this article breaks down when seeing a PCP may be more appropriate and cost-effective.
When to share them
Preventive care doesn't happen at just one time throughout the year, which makes year-round education important. However, a great time to share these resources is after open enrollment when your employees’ new health benefits have started, as this is when they’ll likely need to select a PCP.
Resources for you
Learn more about how preventive care benefits your business and can lower your costs with these articles developed just for you!
Take the guesswork out of employees choosing a primary care provider
Choosing a PCP can be overwhelming, especially for employees who haven’t chosen one before. Our guide to choosing a PCP will help employees think about the qualities they want in a provider and the steps they can take to find one. See the guide and more on the Wellmark Marketing Toolkit.
2.
Communicate age-appropriate preventive health screenings and exams
Going into the doctor for a check-up may not look the same year over year. Depending on age, health history and health status, recommended tests and screenings (and their frequency) may vary from employee to employee. Here are some resources you can use to communicate specific preventive care screenings to employees based on the unique health needs.
Resources to share
- A woman’s guide to preventive care at every age – This decade-by-decade overview of recommended tests and screenings takes the guesswork out of preventive care for female employees.
- Do men need prostate cancer screenings? – Regular cancer screenings help prevent thousands of cancer deaths each year. This article offers education on a common preventive screening for men.
- Preventive care at every age flyer – Log in to the Marketing Toolkit to download this resource you can post in common areas such as break rooms or bathrooms as a helpful reminder to get age-appropriate preventive exams.
When to share them
It’s important to reinforce timely preventive screenings and exams year-round. However, you may consider sharing the gender-specific articles during Women’s and Men’s Health Months in May and June, respectively.
Resources for you
These articles offer further insight on the difference in preventive care across employees’ age, gender and health status.
3.
Address barriers to preventive care
Even when employees understand the value of preventive care, practical barriers can still get in the way. There are many reasons employees may not see their PCP for regular preventive care. Whether it’s a lack of time or anxiety over test results, these resources will help you prioritize preventive care in your workplace and help employees overcome barriers to care.
Resources to share
- How to overcome your fear of the doctor – Don't let anxiety or nerves keep employees from getting key screenings and exams. This article will help employees gain confidence and build a stronger relationship with their provider.
- Virtual care – Most Wellmark plans include coverage for virtual visits — so employees can see a qualified provider from anywhere or on the go.
- myWellmark® – Our secure member portal makes it easy for employees to access their benefits, find in-network providers and track their health care spending.
- BeWell 24/7® nurse line – Employees can speak to a clinically trained nurse anytime, night or day, and get answers about costs and coverage, finding in-network providers and where to go for care.
When to share them
Have these resources readily available by posting them somewhere employees can reference on their own throughout the year. The Wellmark resources are available at any time, so make sure employees know that they’re there when they need them. Make a point to show new employees where to find them as well.
Resources for you
The Wellmark Marketing Toolkit has hundreds of resources to help you promote preventive care services to your employees and address the reasons why they may not be getting care.
You can also reach out to your authorized Wellmark representative or email us at blueatwork@wellmark.com with any questions or for more preventive care strategies.