Convincing an employeeto make a decision that helps their employer win is much easierwhen the employee wins, too. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Even a great benefits plan won't serve your business to its fullpotential if your employees aren't using the tools provided tothem. Employers have a wealth of opportunities to improve theirbusiness and their employees' experience if they adopt aninnovative plan, but the efficacy of these tools rely on employeeengagement. Incentivizing your employees to be active participantsin their benefits plan maximizes their experience as patients whilehelping the business save money and grow.

Here's how you can engage your employees to make educated andeffective decisions within their plan.

Pass on the savings

Convincing an employee to make a decision that helps theiremployer win is much easier when the employee wins, too. A study byBlue Cross Blue Shield found that knee surgeries in the UnitedStates cost an average of $31,124. However, cost variationsare so extreme that the same surgery could cost significantly less(or more) depending on the region. By offering your employee a$3,500 bonus for driving sixty miles to a location that charges$15,000 for the same surgery while offering the same quality care,you could potentially save over $12,500.

Related: Walmart adds financial incentive for employees whovisit 'featured providers'

By passing on the rewards to your employees, you give them areason to go out of their way to lower costs for you withoutputting their own care at risk. In many cases, this can actuallylead to a better experience overall for the employee.

Make quality care more convenient

In order to improve the patient experience, the accessibility ofhigh-quality care is just as important as its availability. A studypublished by the Public Library of Science (PLOS) found thatover 20 percent of medical procedures were potentially unnecessary,adding up to what the Institute of Medicine estimates to be $210billion in wasted medical expenses per year.

Many patients could avoid invasive and expensive procedures byasking other doctors for alternative options, but a 2005 Gallup poll found that 49 percent ofpatients "never" seek a second opinion, while only 3 percent ofpatients "always" do. Offering an automatic second opinionoption–in which a doctor reviews a patient's records and gives theman opinion online –serves to help you and your employees inmultiple ways:

• Convenience – Rather than taking time off workand losing wages to visit another doctor, your employees can get anopinion from a licensed medical professional in minutes withouthaving to leave work or home.
• Lower costs – Not only is a digitalconsultation cheaper than an in-person visit, but avoiding asurgery in favor of options like physical therapy can save you andyour employee thousands of dollars.
• Peace of mind – If a more expensive procedureis necessary, your employees can rest easy knowing that theirchoice is supported by multiple doctors instead of just one.

Offering an automatic second opinion requires little to no workfrom your employees while offering the possibility of eliminatingan expensive medical claim.

Put their health care in their hands

The key to getting your employees to engage more with theirbenefits plan isn't to force them in one direction, but to offerthem multiple options so they can take control of their ownbenefits. This not only makes them feel empowered, but also letsthem know that you, as their employer, are looking out for theirbest interests.

Some areas in which you can give your employees moreauthority in their plan are:

• Type of clinic – Do they want to have theirknee surgery done at an expensive hospital, or do they want to haveit done at an outpatient surgery center and have their employercover their copay?
• Distance – Do they want to have theiroperation done inside their own city, or would they be willing totravel to a country that offers the procedure for a third of thecost and allows them to recover in a nice hotel by the beach?
• Face-to-face interaction – Is their need tosee a doctor in person for a cough so great that they're willing todrive to and from the clinic and sit in the waiting room, or wouldthey prefer to do the consultation online?

The more you involve your employees with the choices availablein their benefits plan, the more likely they are to make informedchoices that give more to themselves and your business.

Engaged employees, educated solutions

Giving your employees cash, convenience, and choices can helpgive them the incentive they need to help you make the most out ofyour benefits plan. Educating your workers about the options theyhave and then empowering them to make decisions that are better forthem and the company can transform your benefits package from aplan into a strategic tool to help your business grow.

Jim Blachek flipped his traditional brokerage model in 2017to focus solely on consulting and building value based healthplans. In 2019 he co-founded a consulting only firmDynamic Benefit Solutionsand founded Local Script atransparent pharmacy and marketing organization focused on reducingemployer and employee costs while supporting the localcommunity.

Read more: 

• Knowledge is power: Help employees understand theirinsurance coverage
• Disciplined consumers focused on health care cost,value
• Do health savings accounts make people more engagedhealth care consumers?