Today’s employees are navigating increased mental health issues, financial stress, renewed or new tensions in the workplace, and more.

These challenges can affect an employee’s day-to-day life and their ability to be a contributing team member.

More than ever, employers need to support the whole health of their workforce by offering the right benefits for every facet of physical, mental, emotional, financial and social health.

Maria Proulx

Panelist: Maria Proulx, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, anthem.com

How can employers encourage their teams to take care of themselves, physically and mentally, and tap into the valuable benefits in their health plans?

Simplifying the experience for employees and promoting engagement programs are key to making them more willing to access care, especially preventive care.

Health plans can offer programs and tools to provide members with a way to know about their health care options and give them a reason to care. We offer two programs at Anthem that help members be better consumers of health care, which can ultimately help lower overall health care costs:

• Site of Service: Many of our plans offer lower-cost shares for members when care is received at high-quality, lower-cost facilities.

• SmartShopper: Anthem’s SmartShopper program, available in certain plans, offers financial incentives to members when they voluntarily choose high-quality, lower-cost providers for routine health care services like labs or screenings. For instance, if a member chooses to get a colonoscopy at an outpatient facility rather than a hospital where costs are higher, they could get a check for $150.

How do digital tools simplify health care?

Digital capabilities can provide a more personalized health care experience for members and allow them to focus on their well-being in a way that fits their schedules and needs. Telehealth can deliver convenient, 24/7 access to care, which is especially beneficial in rural areas. Remote patient monitoring can help employees manage chronic conditions at home.

At Anthem, our health plans include a range of well-being tools and services through our mobile app Sydney Health, such as a nutrition tracker, symptom checker and virtual care visits. Our app also makes it easier for members to budget their health care dollars, see spending through their health savings accounts or health reimbursement accounts, and look up the estimated cost of a health care service before they go.

How can employers prioritize mental health?

With nearly 40% of New Hampshire adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression, according to NAMI NH, it’s more important than ever that employers foster a workplace culture that values positive mental health. Here’s where your health plan can be an effective partner by offering access to a comprehensive network with a variety of care options and care settings.

This is crucial, because treatment that works well for one person may not work as well for another. At Anthem, we are expanding in-network access to innovative care providers, including virtual, at home, outpatient and residential behavioral health providers. We are also reducing barriers to accessing behavioral health care by lowering copays for those visits so they are the same as or lower than a primary care visit.

How can employers provide support for chronic conditions?

Ninety percent of annual health care expenses are attributed to people with chronic and mental health conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and improved care management is a critical tool in supporting better health for your employees.

Your health plan can identify at-risk employees, make referrals for support like nutrition counseling or behavioral health to close any gaps in care, and partner with them to establish their health care team to support their wellness journey.

For example, Anthem Cancer Care Navigators provide support through the cancer diagnosis and treatment and help those who are at a higher risk for complications from their health condition by working with a member’s doctor to ensure they receive the care they need.

This proactive care approach can lead to fewer emergency room visits, lower hospitalization rates, increased preventive screenings, and employees receiving the right care at the right place at the right time.

What role can employers play in promoting preventive care?

Actively encouraging and even incentivizing preventive care and screenings is crucial to supporting your employees’ overall health and catching emerging health issues early.

Employee education about their wellness options is a powerful tool, and your health plan can provide educational materials and communication campaigns.

A good place to start is by promoting annual primary care visits. Anthem covers preventive care at no cost in all plans and offers wellness rewards for preventive care like annual exams and flu shots as well as fitness reimbursements.

In addition to Anthem’s robust network of primary care providers in New Hampshire, we also offer Virtual Primary Care that integrates a digital health platform and virtual care options, allowing members to access care on their own time, leading to increased primary care utilization and improved preventive care.

What other benefits can employers offer to support their employees’ well-being?

Employees want their organizations to advance beyond traditional medical, dental and vision benefits to include more comprehensive care. Some options to consider adding to your benefits include:

• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity plans provide lump-sum benefits that members can use to help pay for unexpected medical costs like home care, or to ease the stress of daily living expenses. They provide cash when it’s needed most.

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) offer short-term care resources, confidential counseling and referral resources for legal, financial, child/elder care and work-life balance support.

Workplace well-being programs play a crucial role in promoting a healthy and thriving workforce. They contribute to a positive work environment, reduce health risks, boost productivity, and ultimately help to lower health care costs — a win-win for both employees and employers. Our Anthem team here in New Hampshire can work with you to support your employees’ whole health.