Sheena Davis' benefits work starts with a conversation.
As director of total rewards and HR technology at Apache Industries, Davis explained that listening to the construction and industrial services company's thousands of employees has directly influenced her policies.
"Whether an employee is struggling to access care, understand their benefits, manage costs, or navigate a difficult situation, I believe there is value in listening and understanding what people are experiencing firsthand," she said.
This communication is especially valuable in a construction environment with a large, primarily Spanish-speaking population, where her goal is to make benefits understandable, accessible and usable in the field.
"I want employees to feel comfortable reaching out for help," she shared. "Benefits can be personal, and sometimes employees may hesitate to ask questions or share concerns. Creating an environment where employees feel supported, respected, and confident that someone will help guide them to the right resources is equally important. When employees know where to turn and feel comfortable asking for assistance, they are more likely to take advantage of the resources available to them and achieve better outcomes."
Davis has experienced these improved outcomes, especially from the direct primary care healthcare strategy she helped implement, shaped by all the employee feedback she solicited.
The initiative gives employees convenient access to a provider, regardless of location, along with helpful navigation resources that solves for an issue she discovered shortly after starting at the company in 2019: "I was surprised by how many employees shared that they avoided going to the doctor because they were concerned about the cost. We also saw low utilization of preventive care services, despite those services being available at no cost to employees. That told me there were barriers beyond plan design, including awareness, access, and confidence in navigating the healthcare system."
Davis measures the success of the direct primary care model in fiscal terms, as that program, along with a reference-based pricing model, saved the company millions of dollars, which Apache was able to reinvest into employee benefits, enhancing offerings like a 401(k) match. But she also observes it on an individual, and gratifying, basis.
"The most rewarding part has been hearing directly from employees about the impact these programs have had on their lives," she explained. "Over the years, I've had employees tell me that our medical plan is the best coverage they have ever had, that the programs have helped them save money for their families, and that they finally feel comfortable seeking care when they need it. Hearing those stories is what makes this work so meaningful."
Sheena will be honored at EBN's Benefits at Work conference in September, which you can
