Mercer, Jiff launch new partnership

As the health care landscape continues to evolve, the expanding menu of options has made navigating benefits a tricky endeavor for employees and employers alike.

A new partnership between global consultant Mercer and Jiff, a health benefits platform that organizes employers’ vendors and incentives and helps direct employees to those that will deliver the most value, aims to curb the confusion.

Also see: Overcoming the human factor in pursuit of optimized digital health IT

The new platform, Health Pathfinder by Mercer, will enable a more personalized health experience, according to the two companies.

Using a range of custom-designed health applications, including Mercer-specific plug-in products and content, the new platform will provide instant feedback and rewards to employees who use the system. These individualized incentives will motivate employees through a points-based rewards system. The product will encourage actions that help employees use their health care benefits and potentially reduce their employers’ health care costs.

Also see: 5 ways your employee communications can break through the noise

“In the past five years, there has been an explosion of point solutions, including health apps, digital services and wearables, to help companies take aim at cost drivers,” said Derek Newell, CEO of Jiff. “Many companies offer dozens of these benefits, but don't have a way to manage them all. If HR managers are having trouble juggling the multiple log-ins and interfaces, how are employees supposed to figure it out? The result is people don't use them, and most of the value is left on the table.”

This platform uses design, game mechanics, and social networking to keep people engaged, he added.

Also see: High-tech tools make wellness inroads

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