Last week, we shared what we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and introduced five ways forward. This week, we’re highlighting the value of proactive population health management and outreach and the value it brings to employers. Even before the pandemic, the population health management (PHM) approach has been championed for improving healthcare delivery.[i] By focusing interventions on high-risk individuals within a defined population, we see improved health outcomes for patients. As a result, employers achieve financial savings and increased productivity in the workforce.
So, where should you start?
- Consider a worksite health solution. A growing number of employers are contracting with partners like Marathon Health to incorporate worksite health solutions into benefit offerings.[ii] A worksite health provider incorporates resources such as confidential health risk assessments (HRAs), claims analytics, and annual physical exams to help clinicians identify risks, engage members proactively, and build trusting patient relationships.
- Think proactively, rather than reactively. Marathon Health clinicians use a proactive care model built on a population health approach of predicting, addressing, and preventing disease, as opposed to a more traditional, reactive model that simply responds to symptoms.This proactive model is making a difference for patients across the nation, as illustrated in the following patient testimonial:“During this stressful time, I received a call to see how I was doing. The care in the nurse’s voice was so welcomed. It also triggered a reminder that I was almost out of medicine. The nurse scheduled a virtual visit with the provider that afternoon and my refills were called in. Her contacting me showed how much you truly care for your patients. Thank YOU for going above and beyond.” – Wendi L., Indiana
- Understand the importance of outreach. Worksite health providers can and should outreach proactively to connect with patients, starting with those with chronic conditions or with a high number of health risks such as elevated glucose measures, cholesterol, inactivity or depression. People with chronic conditions or high-risk factors for chronic conditions will benefit the most from active and ongoing interventions.
Next week’s blog will look at the use of virtual care platforms and engagement protocols. These two aspects of a modern healthcare experience continue to provide employers lower costs and better health outcomes during the pandemic and beyond.[iii]
Take a look at our whitepaper, “Employers Pivot from COVID-19 Pandemic to Create Integrated Care Model of the Future” written by Bruce A. Hochstadt, M.D. & Lawrence J. Morrissey, J.D. to learn more.
[i] https://www.ncqa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/20180827_PHM_PHM_Resource_Guide.pdf
[ii] https://healthitanalytics.com/news/more-employers-tackling-population-health-management-on-site
[iii] Ibid.
