Brokers and advisers have come a long way in managing the supply chain and
We have long been a well-established bridge between our clients and insurance providers, often matching their needs to carrier offerings. In the past, we've simply provided employers with a few insurance carriers to choose from, assisted with
Advisers leaped to become experts in the complex world of benefits to provide clients with more than insurance carrier proposals. This meant digging into programs to discover ways to
Whether that meant removing inefficiencies from pharmacy benefits or customizing programs to reflect unique and diverse workforces, advisers have become meaningfully involved in the supply side of healthcare. The focus now needs to be on demand.
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Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes affect six in 10 adults in the U.S., according to the
It was Ben Franklin who said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." In other words, preventing a crisis from occurring can be more valuable than fighting one – or paying the cost. Unfortunately, the current healthcare solution is to treat illness after it occurs – not to prevent illness before it happens. But in the world of health insurance, advisers have a unique opportunity to get ahead of the curve.
Guiding employees toward comprehensive health plans that include preventive services and mental health options can help individuals take proactive steps in managing their health. This focus on preventive care not only helps employees avoid serious health issues down the line but also promotes a culture of wellness within organizations.
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In the book "Good Energy," Casy Means discusses the current and typical approach doctors use when treating patients, which is to identify conditions based on symptoms, ensure there are no life-threatening outcomes, attach required billing codes and move on. As Means says: "That would be practicing respectable medicine." This is not enough. Doctors need to take a look at all of the factors that are present in each of the patients they treat and advisers should take the same approach.
The next evolution in health insurance for advisers is to take a deep dive into what people are looking for in healthcare.
Now more than ever, advisers need to take the time to understand all aspects of a client's organization – from its mission statement to its workforce – and then design a program that truly benefits those people. By pulling back the curtain and focusing on demand, we can help turn "sick care" into a proactive and preventative care model or partner with employees on an individual level to reverse conditions.
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Dr. Marty Makary's new book, "Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health," takes an in-depth look at how some of the biggest health recommendations have been unfounded. It also encourages readers to question how modern medicine is practiced. This book should prompt us to really dig in and discover how employees are navigating the healthcare system. How are they dealing with diagnosis? How are they selecting specialists? By asking these questions, we can create genuine value. We are in a position to create insurance programs that support and protect people – and their loved ones.
Advisers can play a crucial role in helping individuals adopt a preventive approach to their healthcare by guiding them to prioritize their health and wellbeing. For example, designing programs that include services such as regular check-ups and screenings and highlighting the importance of utilizing these benefits can significantly reduce or reverse the risk of chronic diseases and long-term health complications.
It's important to empower employees to stay healthy by giving them the right tools and resources to thrive. Advisers are mastering the supply side of healthcare. We need to start focusing on demand.
