LIFE CAN CHANGE PRETTY QUICKLY. LET US HANDLE THE OTHER STUFF, SO YOU DON’T MISS WHAT MATTERS MOST.
Key Insights that Influence Employee Health
by Patty Starr and Craig KurtzweiA first-of-its-kind study reveals that community health and non-clinical social barriers have a much more profound impact on workforce health than previously recognized.
“Surprisingly, only about 20% of our health is determined by the medical care we receive,” says Heather Kane, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare, Arizona & New Mexico, citing the findings from the Health Action Council/ UnitedHealthcare White Paper. “The other 80% comes from what we call social determinants of health — like where we live, our access to healthy food and even our social life. These things play a big role in our overall health and wellness. Until now, no one had studied how everyday life factors, seen through insurance claims, affect our health and, in turn, how they drive up costs for employers. That makes this study a game changer.”
The report, which focused on Health Action Council members’ claims across more than 217,000 covered lives, marks the first study to examine social factors within any claims data. It unveils some of the most comprehensive findings on social determinants of health (SDoH) — the conditions in which people live, learn, work, play, and worship –ever released at the member level.
Titled “Community insights: Key factors that influence employee health,” the seventh annual white paper by HAC and UnitedHealth Group highlights crucial insights for HR and benefits managers to utilize when customizing their plans, ultimately helping to improve the health and productivity of their workforce.
IMPORTANT STATS WE LEARNED
One of the white paper’s most striking takeaways is the connection between where employees live, its effect on their life expectancy, and costs for both employers and their employees.
There is an extreme disparity in mortality rates among employees who work for the same company, across various states. And employees who live in less healthy states cost employers more. Approximately 66% of HAC members live within the 20 least healthy states, according to America’s Health Rankings data. If those members lived in the 20 healthiest states, the total covered per member per month (PMPM) amount would be reduced by $61 million — 7% of spend.
“We learned that factors like being lonely, having unstable housing or financial insecurities, are affecting more than half of the employed workforce around the country whose claims were studied. Even more concerning, 41% of children
have a parent battling at least one of these high-risk issues, leading to higher rates of suicidal ideation, depression and ER visits among those kids,” Kane says. “We also learned that employees who face these social challenges and live in states in which the overall population is less healthy end up costing employers about 7% more in coverage costs.”
WHAT EMPLOYEES CAN DO
This study marks a turning point in benefits strategy, transitioning from the traditional focus on retrospective claims data, company culture, and budgets, to a more comprehensive approach. It emphasizes a need for employers to consider both the geographic locations of their employees and the associated community health and SDoH data to help advance employee health, boost productivity and optimize costs.
Kane addresses steps benefits managers can take to help lead this change for their employees and their dependents:
“Employers can make a big difference by first understanding the specific challenges their employees are facing and drilling down to understand how they differ between employee groups, since it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. By getting to know the unique needs of their workforce, employers can offer health plans and programs that meet employees where they are. It’s also crucial to educate a workforce about the importance of regular checkups and building a strong relationship with their primary care physician to monitor, prevent health issues before they start or early in the onset of an illness.”
By embracing these strategies, benefits managers can spearhead transformative health management initiatives within their organizations. This approach helps ensure that interventions are grounded in comprehensive data analysis, tailored to meet individual needs, and enhanced by educational efforts to foster a proactive and informed culture of health.
Health Action Council healthactioncouncil.org
“Community insights: Key factors that in uence employee health” healthactioncouncil.org/media/1hcai1ig/2024_white_paper.pdf
Patty Starr is president and CEO of Health Action Council, and Craig Kurtzweil is chief data & analytics officer at UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual. Health Action Council is a not-forprofit organization representing large employers to enhance human and economic health through thought leadership, innovative services, and collaboration.
Associations & Government
Many associations and government healthcare services give specific information on policies, open enrollment dates and services provided that may help employers understand the many options. Below is a list of local organizations.
Arizona Dental Association
3193 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale (480) 344-5777
azda.org
Arizona Foundation for Medical Care
2700 N. Central Ave., Suite 810, Phoenix (602) 252-4042
azfmc.com
Arizona Health Care Association
1440 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix (602) 265-5331
azhca.org
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
801 E. Je erson St., Phoenix (602) 417-4000 azahcccsa.gov
Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1450, Phoenix (602) 445-4300 azhha.org
Arizona Medical Association
810 W. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix (602) 246-8901
azmed.org
Arizona Pharmacy Association
1845 E. Southern Ave., Tempe (480) 838-3385
azpharmacy.org
Maricopa County Medical Society
326 E. Coronado Rd., Phoenix (602) 252-2015
mcmsonline.com
Employee Bene ts Consultants
Using a consultant to work though options and the many plans can alleviate much of the confusion surrounding healthcare these days. We have included a list of brokers and firms that are reputable and have a tremendous amount of experience working with business to provide plans and ensure compliance.
Arizona Bene t Consultants, LLC
6245 N. 24th Pkwy., Suite 201, Phoenix (602) 956-5515
www.arizonabene tconsultants.com
Bene t Commerce Group - An Alera Group Company
16220 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 100, Scottsdale (480) 515-5010
bene tscommerce.com
Bene ts By Design
4500 S. Lakeshore Dr., Suite 300, Tempe (480) 831-7700
bene tsbydesignaz.com
Blue Water Bene ts Consulting
7848 E. Davenport Dr., Scottsdale (480) 313-0910
employeebene tcompliance.com
Breslau Insurance & Bene ts
Paul Breslau
8362 E. Via de Risa, Scottsdale (602) 692-6832
breslauinsurance.com
Connect Bene ts
1818 E. Southern Ave., Mesa (480) 985-2555
connect-bene ts.com
FBC Services, Inc.
14201 N. 87th St., Scottsdale (602) 277-8477
fbcserv.com
Focus Bene ts Group
4120 N. 20th St., Suite B, Phoenix (602) 381-9900
focusbene ts.com
Health Insurance Express, Inc.
Superstition Marketplace
1155 S. Power Rd., Bldg. 101, Mesa (480) 654-1200
healthinsurance-express.com
Horizon Bene ts Group
6245 N. 24th Pkwy., Suite 216, Phoenix (602) 957-3755
horizonbene ts.com
Dental Insurance
Getting the right coverage means truly investigating the best plans and supplemental plans. Here is a list of area companies offering dental insurance that have a great reputation and plan options for individuals and groups.
American Dental Plan
1645 E. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix (602) 265-6677
arizdental.com
Breslau Insurance & Bene ts
Paul Breslau
8362 E. Via de Risa, Scottsdale (602) 692-6832
breslauinsurance.com
Delta Dental of Arizona
5656 W. Talavi Blvd., Glendale (602) 938-3131
deltadentalaz.com
Matsock & Associates
2400 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle, Phoenix (602) 955-0200
matsock.com
Individual & Group Health Insurance
Knowing what plan is right for your employees and understanding who is managing that plan can make all the difference for your company. We have included below a list of reputable and experienced insurance companies, many of which you will be familiar with, that can guide your organization to the perfect group or individual plans.
Amenda Insurance Associates Ltd.
5046 E. Red eld Rd., Scottsdale (480) 284-6400
douglasamenda.com
American Family Insurance
Multiple agents Valley-wide (877) 777-4804
amfam.com
Banner Aetna (800) 381-6789
banneraetna.com
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
2444 W. Las Palmaritas Dr., Phoenix (602) 864-4899
azblue.com
Bowman & Associates
16042 N. 32nd St., Bldg. A, Phoenix (602) 482-3300
bowmaninsurance.com
Breslau Insurance & Bene ts Paul Breslau
8362 E. Via de Risa, Scottsdale (602) 692-6832
breslauinsurance.com
Cigna
Multiple locations Valley-wide cigna.com
urance Group
Kara Anspach
7077 E. Marilyn Rd., Suite 125, Scottsdale (480) 998-8070
farmersagent.com/kanspach
Glass Financial Group
4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 260D, Phoenix (602) 952-1202
glass nancialgroup.com
HealthNet
1230 W. Washington St., Suite 401, Tempe (602) 286-9194
healthnet.com
Humana Health Insurance of Phoenix 20860 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 400, Phoenix (480) 515-6400
humana.com
Reseco Insurance Advisors
Todd Newton 7901 N. 16th St., Suite 100, Phoenix (602) 753-4250
resecoadvisors.com
State Farm Arizona
Multiple agents Valley-wide (877) 331-8261
statefarm.com
UnitedHealthcare
1 E. Washington St., Suite 1700, Phoenix (800) 985-2356
uhc.com
Hospitals
Many of the healthcare providers listed below are part of specific networks or have created their own network to lower costs for businesses and individuals with the intent to provide all needed services for the patient.
Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital
1930 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix (602) 532-1000
abrazohealth.com
Abrazo Arrowhead Campus
18701 N. 67th Ave., Glendale (623) 561-1000
arrowheadhospital.org
Abrazo Central Campus
2000 W. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix (602) 249-0212
phoenixbaptisthospital.com
Abrazo Maryvale Campus
5102 W. Campbell Ave., Phoenix (623) 848-5000
maryvalehospital.com
Abrazo Scottsdale Campus
3929 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix (602) 923-5000
paradisevalleyhospital.com
Banner Baywood Medical Center 6644 E. Baywood Ave., Mesa (480) 321-2000
bannerhealth.com/baywood
Banner Boswell Medical Center 10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City (623) 832-4000
bannerhealth.com/boswell
Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West (623) 524-4000
bannerhealth.com
Banner Desert Medical Center 1400 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa (480) 412-3000
bannerhealth.com/desert
Banner Estrella Medical Center 9201 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix (623) 327-4000
bannerhealth.com
Banner Gateway Medical Center 1900 N. Higley Rd., Gilbert (480) 543-2000
bannerhealth.com
Banner Heart Hospital 6750 E. Baywood Ave., Mesa (480) 854-5000
bannerhealth.com
Banner Ironwood Medical Center 37000 N. Gantzel Rd., San Tan Valley (480) 394-4000
bannerhealth.com/ironwood »
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
2946 E. Banner Gateway Dr., Gilbert (480) 256-6444
bannerhealth.com
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
5555 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale (602) 865-5555
bannerhealth.com
Banner University Medical Center Campus
1111 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix (602) 839-2000
bannerhealth.com
Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center 14200 Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear (623) 207-3000
cancercenter.com
Cardon Children’s Medical Center
1400 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa (480) 412-5437
bannerhealth.com
Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center
1955 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 728-3000
chandlerregional.org
Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
3555 S. Val Vista Dr., Gilbert (480) 728-8000
mercygilbert.org
Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center
350 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix (602) 406-3000
stjosephs-phx.org
Gilbert Hospital
5656 S. Power Rd., Gilbert (480) 984-2000
gilberter.com
Honor Health Deer Valley Hospital 19829 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix (623) 879-6100 jcl.com
Honor Health John C. Lincoln Medical Center
250 E. Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix (602) 943-2381 jcl.com
Honor Health Osborn Medical Center 7400 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale (480) 882-4000 shc.org
Honor Health Shea Medical Center –Shea Medical Center
9003 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale (480) 323-3000 shc.org
Maricopa Medical Center
2601 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix (602) 344-5011 mihs.org
Mayo Clinic Hospital
5777 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix (480) 515-6296 mayoclinic.org
Mountain Vista Medical Center
1301 S. Crismon Rd., Mesa (480) 358-6100
mvmedicalcenter.com
Phoenix Children’s
1919 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix (602) 933-1000 phoenixchildrens.org
St. Luke’s Medical Center
1800 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix (602) 251-8100 stlukesmedcenter.com
Urgent Care
Walk-in, face-to-face, brick-and-mortar urgent care facilities remain an important element in the healthcare system, even as virtual options expand.
FastMed Urgent Care
Multiple Valley locations (480) 545-2787
fastmed.com
NextCare Urgent Care
Multiple Valley locations (888) 958-2128
nextcare.com
One Health Alliance Urgent Care
7 Valley locations (855) 887-4368
onehealthurgentcare.com
Phoenix Children’s Urgent Care
4 Valley locations (480) 922-5437
phoenixchildrens.com/urgent-care
Urgent Care Extra
Multiple Valley locations urgentcareextra.com
Workplace Bundled Health Programs
In focusing on creating the perfect plan for your company, local providers offer direct benefits that your organization may rely on to ensure a strong healthcare program and policies for your employees.
Arrowhead Health Centers
Multiple locations (623) 334-4000
arrowheadhealth.com
Workplace Ergonomics
Wellness includes how our bodies function in our work spaces, and is therefore greatly impacted by the physical elements of that space. These businesses provide solutions, from chairs to desks to lighting — and beyond.
Ergoguys Products
5622 W. Orchid Ln., Chandler (602) 354-4190
ergoguys.com
ESI Ergonomic Solutions
4030 E. Quenton Dr., Suite 101, Mesa (480) 517-1871
esiergo.com
Goodmans Interior Structures
1400 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix (602) 263-1110
goodmansinc.com
Workplace Wellness
There are many companies working to orchestrate alternative healthcare plans and consulting to customize healthcare benefits programs and policies for companies. These organizations below offer consulting, program development and direct care programs for businesses of all sizes.
Absolute Health
8360 E. Raintree Dr., Suite 135, Scottsdale (480) 991-9945
absolutehealthaz.com
Healthcare Solutions Centers
4831 N. 11th St., Phoenix (602) 424-2101
hcsonsite.com
LifeCore Group
P.O. Box 10264, Glendale (602) 235-2800
myhealthdividends.com