A Crucial Step

Encouraging your employees to receive preventive care.

One overlooked consequence of the pandemic is the delaying of preventive care. As elective services and procedures were postponed during the height of the pandemic, many people were avoiding their doctor's office too.

This resulted in missed routine exams, checkups, and even vaccines.

Although precaution is necessary, it is possible to stay safe while receiving care. Healthcare facilities and offices continue to follow CDC guidelines to keep patients safe during their visit.

You can help your employees understand that while they should remain diligent in preventing the spread of COVID-19, it is important not to put their health on hold. You can encourage employees to:

Receive annual screenings and vaccines

Yearly checkups and exams can spot small issues when they are easier to manage, treat, and before they become more serious. Even screenings such as blood pressure or cholesterol provide meaningful insight into overall health and well-being.

Employees can schedule an appointment with their doctor to discuss their current health and any screenings and vaccines they may need. They can use this information to set all of their preventive care appointments for the year.

We want to make it easier for you to give your employees the information and support they need to make important healthcare decisions. Your employees can use the Preventive Care Plans & Guidelines tool on HealthLink.com to receive a customized list of preventive care and immunizations based on their gender and age.

The HealthLink website has a variety of tools you can use to encourage your employees to receive preventive care, without a lot of time or energy. Visit the Educational Library on HealthLink.com to access a video or fact sheet to share with your employees. These resources cover topics such as how to select the right doctor and questions to ask at an appointment. There is even a video on how to make shots easier for kids.

Because COVID-19 vaccines are so important, consider discussing them with your employees. You may want to encourage your employees to seek immunizations. We have resources to help you. Our COVID-19 Resource Center has the latest vaccine information and resources your employees need.

Explore telehealth options

One positive change from the pandemic has been the wider acceptance of telehealth options for receiving care. Some preventive care appointments can only be completed in-person, while others are available via telehealth, or a combination of both. Either way, it is important for employees to know that they have options.

Many health plans, and many doctors, offer telehealth services, but employees may not be aware of their coverage options.

If your employees have access to telehealth coverage as part of their plan, you should remind them about the value of this benefit. Consider educating employees on the cost savings and convenience associated with virtual care through your usual communication channels. You can also consider promoting telehealth services seasonally, such as during cold or flu season, when telehealth is especially useful.

If your current health plan does not include telehealth coverage, consider adding it. This benefit could come at little to no investment on your part, but have a large impact on your employees' access to quality care.

It's never been more important for your employees to take proactive measures to stay well. Preventive care is a crucial step to helping them remain healthy.

For more information, contact HealthLink at Sales-AcctMgmt@healthlink.com.

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