How Surest helps a tech company better manage the cost of care
Hiring and retaining talented colleagues has become increasingly difficult over the last few years with employees expecting more1 from the companies they choose to work for, including the benefits they’re offered.
But how can you offer more valuable benefits without breaking your budget?
That was a question asked by the leaders at Lumen Technologies, a multinational tech company, looking for a technology-powered health plan that could help employees live healthier lives, while managing health care costs and providing better access to higher-value care options. They found Surest®, an innovative health plan designed to help simplify how people navigate the health system by eliminating deductibles and providing upfront cost and coverage information. Surest aims to give people the information they need to shop for health care the way they shop for other products.
For Lumen, the Surest health plan helped address a few challenges, including:
- Empowering people through technology with an app-based design, which aligned with their goals
- Improving health journeys by providing care options and upfront costs in advance of treatment
- Encouraging informed decisions and access with a focus on higher-value care
The results
After making the switch to Surest in 2020, the company reported 62% of employees surveyed2 said the new plan helped make them healthier.
Lumen’s health care costs per member dropped by up to 16% in 2021,3 while employees had 52% lower average out-of-pocket expenses4 compared to traditional plans.
“Lumen has not increased our out-of-pocket health insurance costs in five years, and our Surest partnership has been a key contributor to that achievement. During those same five years, we’ve added improved technology, additional quality benefits and greater control over health care costs and care, accomplishments that demonstrate our commitment to retaining and attracting employees to our company.”
In fact, a recent study5 showed Surest members had an increase in preventive care and lowered their overall out-of-pocket costs. Surest members also reported being more actively engaged with their health plan, as compared to traditional offerings.
The Surest health plan eliminates deductibles and coinsurance, providing the ability for members to comparison shop for care. Lower prices on the Surest app or website indicate providers evaluated as higher-value options based past effectiveness and cost-efficiency performance. Members can review and consider their care options and their actual costs in advance of treatment. The upfront pricing may help Surest members avoid surprise billing that might show up weeks or months after a service or procedure.
For Lumen employees, Surest resulted in:
- A 17% increase in utilization of primary care physicians
- 18% lower emergency department use
- 18% lower costs for maternity facility deliveries
A report shows that Surest members had6: higher rates of preventive physician exams, colonoscopies, and mammograms, along with lower health care costs, saving 50% on average out of pocket costs compared to those with traditional health plans.
Learn more about Lumen’s experience with Surest.
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