Is your health plan delivering on these 4 expectations?

Your employee health plan is one of the most valuable benefits you can offer. The right health plans will have the care your people want, with the value your business needs. But, it can sometimes be difficult to assess the value of a given plan. Here are 4 things you should expect to see from your health insurance plan and carrier.

1. The network your employees need.

Whether it’s a local network or a national one, your health plan’s network should meet your employees' care needs while being mindful of their budget — and yours. If you're a small group with employees who all live in-state, an HMO network that includes their current primary care providers could be a good choice. For large groups with employees spread out across several states, the ability to offer a PPO plan is key. Some plans are also innovating on these models to deliver quality care at lower costs. 

A plan carrier with a good selection of plan types and access to the hospitals and doctors your employees use will be much more valuable to your workforce than one with limited options. 

2. Excellent customer service.

The best customer service starts even before your employees become members. Ideally your employees will have all the information they need about a plan before they choose it. If your health plan doesn't make it easy for employees to learn about their options or offer assistance finding in-network providers, your employees may be off to a challenging start with their new benefit.

Once they become members, your employees should feel confident that they can get answers to their health insurance questions when they need to use their plan. A Customer Service team that isn't responsive or knowledgeable will negatively impact your employees' health plan experience.

3. Programs focused on your employees’ care needs.

Beyond the typical benefits, your health plan should offer programs designed to support chronic conditions and make it easier for doctors to care for their patients. Look for care management programs focused on common conditions like heart disease, diabetes, tobacco cessation, and more. A plan that doesn't have resources available is one that will ultimately cost your employees with these conditions more money and potentially make it more difficult for them to get the care they need.

Other programs might be built around removing costs for medications and treatments that a doctor prescribes. These programs add value for your patients by improving health outcomes and helping save on costs.

4. An easy transition for you and your employees.

Many people view changing health plans as a hassle. But with a dedicated team to support you and your employees every step of the way, you can transition to a new plan without the headache.

If they are changing primary care providers they'll want to transfer their medical records to their new provider. And if they need regular check-ins for a specific health condition, have a surgery or procedure planned, are having a baby, or take prescription drugs that require authorization, they'll need to make sure all that carries over as well. A Customer Service team that is on-hand to help with these concerns can make a big difference for your employees.

Want to learn how AllWays Health Partners meets these needs? Reach out to your employee benefit advisor and ask how we’re helping businesses be ready for today.