Producer Connection

Fall 2010

A Case For Saving Time And Money: The Standard’s Health Advocate Program

We’ve all heard the saying, "Time is Money.” With Health Advocate, you can help your clients save both, along with lowering employees’ stress levels. Included with The Standard’s Absence Management Services, Health Advocate is also available as an add on to The Standard’s group insurance products.

Health Advocate provides clients and members with a team of Personal Health Advocates (PHAs), typically registered nurses supported by medical directors and benefits specialists. PHAs help clients and members navigate the healthcare system with time- and money-saving solutions for clinical and administrative issues involving medical, hospital, vision, dental, pharmacy and other healthcare needs.

Cutting A National Retailer's Costs*

Based on estimated total productivity savings, Health Advocate saved a national retailer with 2,200 employees more than $44,000 during the seven-month period from November 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010. Those savings are based on the 743 interactions that Health Advocate staff had with the retailer’s employees and the approximately 295 hours of employee time saved. Considering that the PHAs can find resolution faster than the average individual, the time savings are potentially much greater.

* Data source: Health Advocate Group Information Report, Reporting Period November 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010.

In this case, the largest categories of interactions were for benefits education (204) and claims assistance (201). Another 48 interactions were for “Mind Matters,” assistance provided to members for care and access associated with behavioral health issues, including 13 interactions related to special needs children.

Getting Help For Mental Health Issues

In one example, a PHA specializing in behavioral health helped an employee experiencing depression find a therapist who agreed to speak with the employee immediately and see her the next day.

In another case, a PHA found support groups, an art therapist and a summer program for a child with Asperger’s syndrome and helped the member apply to Medicaid to cover services.