Inclusive health coverage is crucial to support a diverse workforce. Without it, companies cannot provide a truly inclusive work environment.
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Brokers can play a key role in helping employers achieve their DEI goals and serve their employees’ diverse needs. But where is the best place to start? What design strategies can be most effective at addressing
When it comes to maximizing DEI impact for your clients, here are four inclusive design principles to prioritize.
1. Smart, personalized subsidization and equity discounts.
Flexible subsidization is integral to inclusive, equitable benefits. A flexible subsidization framework allows greater support for conditions that have disparate burden on marginalized communities.
On the flip side, health plans that treat all employees as if they are the same are inherently inequitable. That’s because health needs, social determinants of health, known disparities, mental health, salary, etc. vary from person to person. Inclusive health plans adjust subsidy based on these factors.
Inclusive health plans also lower the cost of more effective and efficient care, which some call equity discounts. For example, this might look like:
- Lowering the cost of treatments or medications known to be particularly effective in treating certain conditions within certain populations (e.g., heart disease for Black people).
- Identifying providers who are most effective in caring for specific conditions within at-risk populations and helping steer at-risk employees toward those providers.
- Providing free or low-cost
mental health therapy .
Equity discounts can lower employee financial burden and enhance access to care for conditions that are prevalent in populations that have been systematically discriminated against in health care. A plan sponsor can also choose to apply an equity discount to their entire population.
2. Plain, understandable language.
To most people, health insurance feels like a different language. A mere four in 100 Americans can define deductible, coinsurance, copay and out-of-pocket maximum. More than a
Health plans that use clear, accessible language should be highlighted for employers. With such plans, employees can understand exactly what their insurance covers and their options.
3. First-dollar coverage and cost certainty.
Deductibles, high prices and a lack of cost certainty are big reasons people skip or postpone care. More than
If DEI is a priority for your clients, make sure they offer at least one plan without a deductible and also consider plans that offer transparency tools or, better yet, the ability to know the exact price of care in advance.
4. Personalized, digital care navigation.
Employers give their employees a tremendous gift when they offer health plans that allow searching and shopping like other consumer websites. Health plans that let people search for treatment options (and see the ranges of exact costs) by condition or health issue
It’s also important that people can find care that is reflective of their unique — racial, cultural, LGBTQ+, mental, etc. — needs. People in marginalized groups
Driving change this annual enrollment season