Take steps today to plan for tomorrow

To help their organizations and employees weather the current storm and prepare for calmer post-COVID waters, benefit and HR pros must have a plan to manage elective surgery demand. A growing number of large employers are deploying surgery decision support (SDS) programs to help their employees. Goals should include:

To provide education and information to employees so they can better determine if elective surgery is needed.
To provide employees with a range of clinically proven alternatives if surgery is required but the hospital postponing elective surgeries.
To ensure employers get the necessary help to maximize productivity and minimize costs.

There are a number of core components a successful SDS program will offer. Important features to consider are:

Access to top specialists who can give second opinions about injuries or conditions, including virtual visits when possible.
Insights into treatment alternatives, including physical and behavioral therapy and medications that may provide relief and help avoid surgery altogether.
Tools and personalized support to combat stress, anxiety and depression and help employees cope.
Benefit coordination information for employees, including how to access other resources offered through their health plan and partners.
Emphasis on best practices. The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 30% of all conditions have a known best practice, but those are only followed 50% of the time.

Cost-saving potential

Personalized attention and concierge-level support from experienced nurses are essential to the success of an SDS program. With nearly 20,000 U.S.-based employees, one multinational manufacturing company calculated that having one nurse onsite to assist employees with elective surgeries and other health care needs saved over $2 million in the first year the program was in place. The company also reported dramatic improvements in employee outreach and engagement.

Instant Insights /

Helping employees and managing elective surgery demand in uncertain times

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