Maximizing Health Plan Utilization Through Digital Platforms

In the complex world of healthcare benefits, one of the greatest challenges employers face is ensuring employees actually use the benefits that are available to them. Despite the investment employers make in creating robust, self-funded health plans - utilization often falls short. Confusion and lack of awareness leave valuable resources untouched and employees frustrated.

“You can build the best health plan in the world, but if your members can’t easily understand or access it, it’s not working.” — Ryan Coplon, Co-Founder of HealthWallet

That’s where digital platforms like HealthWallet are changing the game. They simplify the way members connect with their benefits to increase engagement and help employers make every healthcare dollar count.

The Cost of Underutilization

Underutilization of health benefits is more than just a missed opportunity; it’s a hidden cost driver. When members aren’t aware of their available care options, there is a tendency to make less-informed decisions, like going to the emergency room for non-emergency issues or skipping care altogether. This can lead to delayed diagnoses, unmanaged chronic conditions, or higher claims over time. For self-funded employers every claim directly impacts the bottom line, so these gaps can be costly. Underutilization also erodes employee satisfaction. Members who can’t find or understand their benefits feel unsupported, disconnected, and less confident in their coverage.

How HealthWallet Bridges the Gap

HealthWallet was designed to eliminate the friction between members and their health benefits. Acting as a digital “front door” for all plan resources, HealthWallet brings all benefits together (medical, telemedicine, pharmacy, behavioral health, EAP, and beyond) into one simple and easy-to-navigate mobile experience. Members don’t have to hunt through HR emails or separate vendor portals. They can access everything they need, when they need it:

• Digital ID Cards – Instantly access and share ID cards directly from one secure app.
• Telemedicine Access – Connect with virtual care providers in minutes, saving time and reducing unnecessary ER visits.
• Rx Savings Tools – Compare prescription prices, locate participating pharmacies, and save on medications without leaving the app.
• Integrated EAP & Behavioral Health Resources – Access mental health and counseling support discreetly and quickly.
• Push Notifications and Messaging – Targeted communications delivered directly to phones, ensuring available features are introduced and explained.

Simplifying the Member Experience

The power of HealthWallet lies in its simplicity. Members no longer need to remember multiple logins or navigate several websites to find basic information. With single sign-on access and an intuitive layout, care is just a tap away. By reducing complexity and providing clear benefit details, HealthWallet empowers members to make confident, informed healthcare decisions. Whether it’s finding a nearby urgent care center, scheduling a telemedicine visit, or understanding coverage before treatment, employees can take action immediately (without calling HR or a TPA for help).

Empowering Employers and TPAs

For employers and TPAs, HealthWallet isn’t just a convenience; it’s a communication tool and a strategic asset. The platform’s push notifications and messaging features enable proactive engagement, allowing administrators to:

• Send reminders for preventive care, open enrollment, or wellness programs
• Notify members of new benefit offerings or plan changes
• Encourage cost-saving behaviors like virtual visits or generic prescriptions

By keeping members informed and engaged, employers can reduce unnecessary calls, lower administrative overhead, and ultimately drive better outcomes.

Driving Real Value Through Engagement

When employees actively engage with their benefits, everyone wins. HealthWallet clients consistently see increased utilization of telemedicine, virtual care, and other low-cost services which directly reduces claims costs. More importantly, members feel empowered and supported, which strengthens satisfaction and retention. Engaged members are healthier members, and healthier members create stronger, more cost-efficient organizations.

A Smarter Path Forward

The healthcare system isn’t getting any simpler… but how employees access it can! HealthWallet makes benefits easy to understand, easy to access, and easy to use. By integrating all plan components into one seamless platform, employers can ensure members are not only aware of their benefits but motivated to use them.