Employer-sponsored benefits are a critical element of an employee’s total compensation. Yet it’s no secret that employees struggle to understand how to leverage their benefits to improve their health, reduce waste and avoid medical debt. The National Institutes of Health cited that only 8% of Americans receive routine preventive medical care, despite its $0 cost. Health care avoidance often results in higher costs once care is received, reinforcing the idea that health care is too expensive to seek consistently.
Health care literacy can help employees become wiser health care consumers and understand the cost associated with care. Ensure employees understand common terms like deductible and copay found within an employee benefit packet. Promote carrier transparency tools that help identify the cost of care before making an appointment. Discuss the value of generic and mail order prescriptions that are often the fraction of a non-formulary or name brand drug.
Bukaty Companies has a number of tools to support your employee health care literacy. Our Fast Facts videos, preventive care education, and where to seek guide are all designed to promote employee education and effective utilization.
