What’s Next for Well-Being? | Part 3: Driving Engagement

In this blog, we examine the strategies that next-gen well-being programs are leveraging to generate higher member engagement. 

Incentives/Rewards

Incentives are one of the most popular methods used by well-being programs to motivate and engage members and employees. 

But not all incentive programs are created equal. All too often, a standardized “cookie-cutter” incentive program is implemented. This type of turn-key program does not have the ability to precisely meet the specific needs of the population being served and the goals of the organization. Generating a high level of participation requires strategic planning, careful execution, constant monitoring, and an ability to quickly adjust the program to evolving events.

A strategically planned incentive program produces higher engagement. For example, a Pager well-being challenge with incentives produced a 39 percent participation rate for one client compared to just a nine percent participation rate for well-being challenges without incentives. 

Another incentive program achieved a 64 percent increase in sustained engagement by adding more weight to activities and tasks that required active participation (challenges, etc.). Sustained engagement creates a much stronger opportunity for people to internalize their newly acquired healthy behaviors and adopt a lifelong healthy lifestyle. More impressively, the results were achieved without increasing the maximum incentive payout—a $250 gift card.

Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)

Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) drive as much as 80 percent of health outcomes. Health plans can significantly improve engagement by reaching out beyond the walls of the hospital and doctor’s office and addressing SDoH factors their members are facing in their homes, schools, workplaces and neighborhoods. 

Pager’s SDoH Community-Based Index is a mapping tool and data analyzer that provides detailed information about the multiple SDoH risks for each of the nation’s 81,000 census tracts. By leveraging this tool, our well-being program can connect each member to the most appropriate and beneficial local resource to address the most urgent SDoH risks. Take Ride-Share Services, for example. The Index can identify specific neighborhoods where people struggle to find reliable transportation, which can result in missed medical appointments and inconsistent care. Offering ride-share services in these locales for non-emergency medical transportation can significantly reduce no-shows and provide access to services and programs that promote health and well-being across the continuum of care.

This same approach can be used to connect members to a host of other community resources, such as:

• EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs) 

• Food Banks 

• Recreational Opportunities 

• Physician Referral Services 

• Community Clinics 

• Farmer’s Markets 

• Free Screenings 

• Substance Abuse Programs 

• Adult Day Care Programs 

• Affordable Housing 

• Dietitians, Health Educators and Trainers

Behavioral Health

Through its Health Assessment, a well-being engagement program can identify employees who are having behavioral health issues. For example, the health assessment can include questions about how often a person feels stressed at work or whether they have been “feeling blue” lately. Using this information, the well-being platform can then be personalized to provide each member with the information and support that addresses his or her specific behavioral health issues. 

For example, Pager members experiencing high stress and anxiety can engage with well-being resources available online, such as "Managing Your Stress" or "Building Resilience," two of the 33 Digital Self-Guided Programs on the Pager platform. For members diagnosed with a mental health condition but who haven't engaged with a BH provider, data-driven triggered events prompt our nurse navigators to connect with them through their preferred channel. This empathetic support then guides members toward the next best actions for their well-being. 

The Next Step

In a recent survey, 81 percent of consumers expressed dissatisfaction with their healthcare experience and interest in using a unified digital solution.See for yourself how Pager’s end-to-end connected care experience is transforming healthcare and realizing new efficiencies. Contact us today for a free demo.