When it comes to protecting the health and wealth of benefit plan participants, along with saving money for self-insured employers, the key to success involves early engagement, observes Stephanie Meyer, senior director of activation strategies at UMR, a UnitedHealthcare company.
Meyer says members who engage at the very beginning of the plan year or even beforehand are much more likely to make better clinical and purchasing decisions that can change the course of care, as well as help their vitality and finances. This proactive approach pays dividends to plan members and sponsors alike, especially when it comes to helping those who are at risk for developing serious medical conditions.
UMR's GenerationYou healthcare advocacy and engagement solution is underpinned by what the TPA calls the "Story of You," which is a unique activation consult that helps members use a digital onboarding process to become more familiar with their plan. As part of that process, Meyer explains in this interview, members are able to list their preferred way of being contacted and express any concerns about their overall health or how to navigate their benefits coverage. Other key facts may include details about past or anticipated hospitalizations, as well as life events, such as the birth of a child.
Based on the information they submit, the GenYou engine compiles a summary that includes personalized recommendations for exploring programs that fit the unique needs of each member and allows them to earn financial rewards, including a prepaid gift card. Another dynamic Meyer references is how members research and select medical providers and facilities. A CarePrepare telephone consult helps members find the most optimal high quality care, review the entire care path and anticipate any post-surgical impacts. With the benefit of early engagement, these strategies will help offset the cost of services.
To listen to more Say Hello To A Next-Generation Benefits Solution podcasts, click here.
To learn more about GenerationYou, contact UMR.
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Bruce Shutan
Bruce Shutan is a Portland, Oregon freelance writer who has written about the employee benefits space for more than 100 publications or corporate entities for 32 of his 37 years in journalism. He also has been quoted about benefit trends in The Wall Street Journal’s interactive edition and syndicated radio program on work-life issues, Reuters and other media outlets.
