Marathon identified five elements of an integrated care plan that can help reduce health care costs to employers.

Proactive population health monitoring and outreach. Use data from health risk assessments, claims analytics and physicals to identify risky patients and guide outreach programs.
Expanded access to care. Virtual and telehealth options are more affordable than in-person care.
Enhanced and integrated occupational health. As employees begin returning to the workplace, employers may need help with COVID-19 screening and testing. Citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Marathon found that workplace-based monitoring reduces the health threat to workers.
Active patient navigation and care coordination. Many employees put off care when facilities were closed during the pandemic, which means health care costs may increase as they begin rescheduling elective procedures, especially if conditions that would've been treated become more severe and more expensive. Coordinating care can help mitigate some of those costs, according to Marathon.
Integrated behavioral health. The pandemic has highlighted flaws in mental health support. Integrating behavioral health with physical health helps employers provide more comprehensive care.

"The model used by Marathon Health to proactively support and personalize care for employee populations offers a different path from traditional healthcare that's effective for both patient and employer," Hochstadt said. Enhancing access to health care and reinforcing its importance, even during a pandemic, can reduce the impact and cost of urgent care, emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations in the near and long term."

Instant Insights /

COVID sparks employer focus on integrated care model

More From HR Executive

Related Stories

Recommended For You