If you’re an employer, you know your employees don’t work in a vacuum. Their job performance can be affected by plenty of factors outside the workplace, including family demands, social or economic challenges, and their overall health.
Being aware of those factors and offering support when needed can help keep employees engaged and productive.
There’s a similar mindset emerging in healthcare, a holistic approach called “whole-person care.”
Whole-person care doesn’t necessarily replace traditional healthcare models. Instead, it builds off them by putting a strong focus on integration of care, preventive strategies, and more proactive participation of the patient.
Dr. Jeremy Wigginton, Chief Medical Officer at Capital Blue Cross, said whole-person care is about much more than just acknowledging a person’s multiple medical issues. “It’s about looking into how those issues, as well as social or economic factors, are impacting each other,” he explained.
For example, a person newly diagnosed with a chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes also might have anxiety or depression, mental health issues that could worsen in the face of a new medical challenge. That same individual might have challenges finding transportation to doctor appointments or difficulty affording life-sustaining medications. They may live alone and need outside support or have a language barrier that makes it more difficult for them to understand medical guidance.
“When we thoughtfully consider all those dynamics – physical health, behavioral health, economic challenges, and a person’s social and emotional needs – we can work with that person to find healthcare strategies that will work best for them,” Dr. Wigginton said. “That’s the essence of how Capital supports the concept of whole-person care.”
Capital Blue Cross’ strategies to support whole-person care help members take charge of their well-being. By aligning resources more efficiently, we make it easier for people to make informed, proactive choices about their health, which can help improve an employer’s bottom line.
Capitalizing on Our Healthcare Coverage Strategies
We want our members to feel empowered about their care, so we promote tools and resources to encourage healthy habits. We communicate directly with our members to remind them to get routine checkups, recommended screenings, vaccinations, and other necessary preventive care. We also educate members on how and when to get appropriate care that can help them save money.
If you need to get your employees motivated, Capital even offers a wellness program that gives them financial incentives simply for taking care of themselves.
To learn more about ways to keep your employees healthy and control your business’ healthcare costs, schedule a health insurance check-up with us. We can help you capitalize on the many tools and strategies Capital Blue Cross offers.