The key to providing and implementing an effective healthcare strategy for an organization’s employees lies with the delivery. Oftentimes, an employer has all the benefits their employees could need, with the best intentions to impact the company’s overall healthcare strategy. But, the employer doesn’t see high utilization and ultimately, a lack of ROI.

Integrating A Whole-Person Approach to Onsite Healthcare

It’s common that many employee benefits aren’t making the impact as intended because employees either aren’t aware of the resources, aren’t paying attention to the communications their employer is pushing out, are overwhelmed by the amount of benefits discussed at open enrollment and maybe the benefit doesn’t apply to them at the time... until it does.

Before considering an investment in yet another benefit for your employees, consider zooming out and viewing how you can simplify the employee experience. It’s essential to focus on taking a whole person approach to healthcare. This requires simplifying the process, and streamlining all of the many efforts it takes to provide access and make an impact. The quicker an employer can provide health benefits their employees will use, the quicker they will impact the bottom line of healthcare costs.

One of the most common and effective ways employers are implementing a whole-person approach to care is by investing in onsite healthcare with a partner who focuses on care navigation. When providers are thoroughly educated on the unique resources and benefits a specific employer is giving them access to, they can offer a personalized, strategic experience to the employees by helping promote the things they have already at their fingertips. 

This could look like an employer offering several different benefits such as a diabetes management partner, a behavioral health solution, maternity benefits, telehealth, financial wellness resources, etc. When an employee has an established relationship with the onsite provider and comes into the health center for a sick visit, a follow up appointment or an annual screening, the provider has the opportunity to connect the dots from the employee needs to the relevant, accessible benefits their employer is offering them in a seamless, simplified way. The onsite provider is the main hub promoting all other benefit offerings and ensuring there is greater continuity of care. 

Having established employee relationships with the onsite provider often leads to identifying areas of care and need beyond the initial sick visit. The provider then educates the employees on other existing benefit offerings available, giving the employee awareness of how and where to access additional resources. Once employees utilize the resources, the employer will see increased utilization and a positive impact on the company.

This could also look like an employee visiting their onsite health center, to be seen for symptoms that resemble asthma. The provider not only treats the employee for their immediate symptoms, but also helps refer them to an in-network primary care physician and gets them set up for ongoing appointments. In another scenario, if an employee is struggling with their mental health, the provider can start by coaching them. They can then direct the employee to their EAP benefits which might include mental health counseling, covered by the employer. 

When employers take a whole-person approach to onsite healthcare, they are ensuring that their employees are aware of all of the benefits and resources available to them. This leads to increased utilization of available resources, productivity, and a healthier workplace.