Voice of Business Blog

We’re back with part five in of our high-quality care and cost savings series. (Please click here to view parts one, two, three, and four of our series)

As a recap, we know the upward trend of health care costs is expected to continue, impacting employers and individuals alike. High drug prices, increases in outpatient procedures, and more members needing high-cost hospital care are challenging employers, patients, health plans, and the entire health care system.

So how can you make sure your employees are being taken care of, and what is Excellus BCBS doing to help improve quality of care while combating these costs?

Preventive care

Preventive care consists of services that help catch potential issues early before they develop into more serious health conditions. Things like routine checkups, screenings, and immunizations can fall under preventive care. Preventive services are covered in full by our health plan. Here are some ways your employees can get the most value out of their plan.

• Know where to go to get care – Between your primary care provider, telehealth, urgent care, and the emergency room, it’s important to go to the most appropriate place for the kind of care you need. It’s important to find the right care when you need it.
• Make sure your doctor is in network – Use our Find a Doctor tool to check. Care usually costs less when received from an in-network provider.
• Shop around – Use our cost estimator tool to compare costs at different providers.
• Use our pharmacy price check tool to connect with a pharmacist, check drug prices and more.
• Treat health concerns early – Take advantage of services like physical therapy to keep conditions manageable and hopefully avoid the need for surgery.
• Take advantage of our care management support and free 24/7 nurse call line. We can help you understand your options and navigate the health care system – at no additional cost.
• Download the Wellframe® app which gives you instant access to a dedicated care manager, dietitians, nurses and other health care professionals to help you meet your health and wellness goals.

Actions you can take to help control costs:

1. Download our Preventive Care Savings Toolkit where you can access more information, resources, and prewritten emails for sharing with your employees. These toolkits will support you in opening a dialogue with employees as well as sharing ways employees can navigate the health care system, understanding what care is right for them, and help improve outcomes.
2. Please don’t hesitate to contact your account manager or broker for more information on these programs.
3. For more helpful content to educate and engage your employees in their health care, visit ExcellusForBusiness.com.

The last part of our series will run next week and include where you and your team can find the best resources and tools to help improve quality of care while combating costs.

Wellframe is an independent company that provides a health and wellness support mobile app to Excellus BCBS members.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

This has been a Voice of Business Blog member post from Excellus BCBS.

For more information about the Voice of Business Blog and other promotional opportunities, please click here.