By: Dr. Steven Angelo
Medical Director, UnitedHealthcare of New York
In the past, an imperfect health system is often complicated, along with the increase in costs, has affected the capacity of consumers to easily access medical care.
In fact, almost 11% of adults nationwide and almost 10% in New York avoided medical care due to spending the previous year, according to the annual report of the 2024 of America’s Health Rankings.
As technology continues to change many aspects of our lives, employers and health plans are offering new digital tools, benefits and programs that aim to make medical care more simple, affordable and better.
Here I present these tips to help you connect more easily with quality care and potentially save more money.
– Take advantage of digital tools that help you compare care options:
Many people like to investigate products before making a purchase, and the same is usually true when it comes to medical care. In fact, a recent study found that almost half of the people investigate doctors before programming an appointment.
Comparing care options in advance and making more informed decisions can result in better access and lower costs. Some employers and health plans offer innovative solutions that seek to do that precisely. Talk to your employer and health plan on what you can have available.
– See what well -being programs are available:
About 80% of American companies with more than 50 employees now offer well -being programs, according to a recent survey, but many people do not fully take advantage of everything that is available to support their health and well -being.
Some welfare programs for the employee can help people stay focused on their health objectives, handle chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity and even save more money, partly through the use of technology.
You can be eligible for incentive -based welfare programs available through some employers. With these programs, eligible members can gain rewards for completing tasks such as taking a health survey, obtaining an annual check, walking a certain number of steps, tracking hours of sleep and more.
You can gain rewards through your health plan for activities such as your annual well -being visit or certain preventive exams. Talk to your health plan and your employer to understand what you have available.
– Make your mental health a priority:
Taking care of your mental health is important for your general well -being, since your emotional mood can affect your physical health. If you have difficulties, treatment can help you feel better and live a healthier life.
Mental health problems continue to grow and may have a significant impact on adults of work age and many others. For example, 40 million American adults suffer from anxiety disorders that can affect the quality of life and well -being. Anxiety is now the mental health problem No. 1 among US workers.
To face these challenges, many employers offer accessible and flexible mental health offers, such as virtual therapy and advice applications, which can provide convenient and confidential support.
Some health plans also offer behavioral medical care programs to help with the use of substances, stress, anxiety, depression and more. Some health insurers also have specially trained and available personnel to help members find the correct type of behavioral health care or resources.
In a digital world, ensuring that mental health care is just one click can help reflect a modern and compassionate culture at work.
– Make virtual assistance a starting point:
Virtual attention, also called Telesalud, can help people who are already sick to detect and prevent diseases and more effectively manage chronic conditions.
Many people enjoy the flexibility offered by virtual care, and some plans are now built around it. Virtual care offers 24/7 access to urgent care, in addition to access to medical and behavior health and other care through a smartphone, tablet or computer, and transitions to support in person, when necessary.
Other options may include virtual primary care for regular health visits or virtual therapy with a behavioral health professional.
