Wellness: Your Secret to Savings

Understand Your Health Plan
Studies show that over 50% of Americans don’t understand their health plan, with 26% responding that not understanding how their health plan works has cost them more in medical bills. Furthermore, people that don’t understand their health insurance are more likely to make ER visits, have inpatient stays, experience higher mortality rates, and be less compliant with their treatment regimens.

Here are a few benefits to having a clear understanding of how your health plan works:

1. Better Decision Making: Understanding your coverage helps you make educated and informed decisions about which healthcare services and providers to use, resulting in obtaining the care you need while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.
2. Cost Savings: Understanding your plan’s network, deductibles, copays, and coverage limits can help you avoid unexpected and unnecessary costs, while taking full advantage of the preventative care and services that are fully covered by your plan.
3. Efficient Use of Benefits: You will be able to maximize your plan’s benefits by understanding exactly what is included, such as preventative screenings, mental health services, and prescription coverage.
4. Health Advocacy: You will be better equipped to advocate for yourself or loved ones in medial situations, ensuring you are receiving appropriate and adequate care and eliminating miscommunication.

Underutilization of Wellness Programs
Beyond gaining a better understanding of how the health plan works, the added layer of workplace wellness programming has been found to be very effective in creating positive changes in lifestyle and behavior, resulting in better individual health outcomes. Despite their popularity, a recent survey conducted by KFF found that less than half of small companies (defined as 200 employees or less) offer any wellness solutions. Overall, 54% of small companies offer at least one of these programs:

• Health Risk Assessment: 31% of small companies provided workers with the option to complete an HRA.
• Biometric Screening: Only 9% of small companies provide workers with the opportunity to complete biometric screening.
• Smoking Cessation: 40% offered smoking cessation resources.
• Weight Loss Coaching: 34% offered weight loss coaching.
• Lifestyle/Behavior Modification Coaching: 33% offered some form of lifestyle and behavior change coaching.

When Wellness Works
A study was performed using a midwestern manufacturing plant with 70 individuals. Health, lifestyle, behavior, and motivation data was collected for a nine-month disease reversal and prevention program. Information included data from health risk assessments, biometric screening results for diseases, and traditional health information. Using this data, a wellness program was designed and implemented for the participant with guidance from health and wellness coaches and medical providers. The results were staggering – 90% of participants experienced a favorable reduction in chronic disease, biomarkers improved drastically, and everyone reported an improvement in their overall health.

Why This Matters?
Improved health literacy is directly correlated with reductions in risk factors for chronic disease, reductions in hospitalization, and an increase in healthier lifestyles. Sir Francis Bacon coined the popular phrase, “Knowledge is power,” and now that we are entering an era where we have access to infinite amounts of information, we have a responsibility to put it to good use. Understanding how your health plan works is important; understanding your own wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important. But when combining these two, I believe we can truly get ahead of our chronic disease epidemic and help individuals and their families live happier, healthier lives.

What Can Be Done?
At InterLutions, we don’t just provide insurance solutions—we create lasting, positive impact for your entire credit union. While securing the best coverage for your team is where we start, it’s our continued dedication to support and education that truly sets us apart. We work closely with your employees to ensure they understand their benefits, know how to use them to their fullest potential, and become responsible, empowered consumers of their healthcare.

But we don’t stop there. We help credit unions build wellness committees and roll out tailored wellness programs that encourage healthier, more engaged teams. Our goal is to reduce illness and injury, lower healthcare costs, and improve the quality of life for your employees and their families. With our holistic approach and ongoing support, you’ll see a healthier, more productive workforce that drives your success.

Ready to transform your employee benefits experience? Contact InterLutions today to learn how we can make a difference for your team!