How Employers Can Minimize Medical Spend

There are several strategies that may encourage healthier employees and reduce future medical costs. Based on the UnitedHealthcare Case Study in 2022, employers may want to prepare for the future by:

1. Refocusing. Manage your high-cost claimants- Develop, Implement, and Engage employees in activities that will keep them healthy.
2. Implement and Promote disease prevention and lifestyle modification programs to manage the onset of chronic conditions.
3. Educate employees on:
   1. Where and when to obtain care and the value of treatment protocols on their quality of life both in the short and long term. 
   2. Value of preventable disease immunizations. Offer immunizations onsite or with a local practice several times per year.
4. Target fitness campaigns that combat obesity.
5.  Review Corporate HR pay scale policies and determine if they are driving inappropriate utilization or creating perpetual gender pay disparities. 
6. Support mental health by encouraging behaviors that help employees maintain balance. Ex. Healthy eating, exercise and sufficient sleep.
7. Consider implementing flexible HR policies to address the conflict parents and caregivers may experience when focusing on their child’s needs and managing work responsibilities.
8. Include family planning benefits to mitigate the risk associated with holding off on a family. 
9. Expand engagement to involve the entire family in health practices, as children mirror their parent’s health. Look for cultural alignment in engaging with entire family in healthy practices. 
10. Offer financial planning services, financial health tips/savings strategies, or student loan repayment benefit to employees.

Case Study with Health Action Counsel and UnitedHealth Group Medical and Pharmacy on plan sponsors from April 2021 through March 2022, paid through June 2022, as well as historical data dating ack to 2012.