Get the Most Out of Your Health Plan

Understand the tools that maximize value and peace of mind.

By Lisa DiDio On Oct 12, 2019

In recent years, technology has paved the way for more innovation when it comes to healthcare. The industry has collectively worked to simplify the user experience, making it faster and easier to access important health information.

Answers to questions like, “How much will my procedure cost?” can be answered by leveraging online tools that can provide estimates. Forget to bring your member ID card to your doctor’s visit? In most cases, you can now easily log into an app on your phone to pull it up.

Small business owners often wear many hats, including serving as the company’s employee benefits administrator. Because each business has its own unique needs, it’s important to be tuned into the tools and services available through your health plan. Here are some questions to consider asking if you haven’t already:

• How do you communicate with members? Historically, a letter or telephone call was the most common form of communication between health plans and businesses. Today, text messaging is increasingly more common, especially to send important reminders about preventive screenings or annual PCP visits.
• What kinds of programs and resources are available? Technology has had a positive impact on the types of resources available. Take telemedicine, for example, which was a pie-in-the-sky idea a decade ago. Today, it’s not uncommon for it to be offered as a standard benefit as part of a health plan. Other valuable resources like health coaching and wellness programs can also provide quick access to vital information, not to mention overall peace of mind.
• How can I find out if my provider is in your network? Visiting doctors and other providers who participate in your health plan’s network will enable you to get the most out of your insurance coverage. It will also minimize the need for you to pay out-of-pocket costs aside from any co-pays or coinsurance associated with your plan. Often an online provider finder can be easily accessed from a mobile app where you will be able to search for a doctor’s name, a symptom, or their location.
• What are your customer service capabilities? It’s important to be aware of and utilize the customer service resources available through your health plan. Along with the user-friendly features and services available, it’s important to select a company that provides direct access to live representatives who are readily available to assist members.

Taking the time to evaluate tools and resources that can help empower your employees to make informed decisions can also have positive impacts on their overall health and well-being.

About the Author

Lisa DiDio is director of sales for AmeriHealth New Jersey. She has more than 25 years of experience in the New Jersey healthcare industry.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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