GreenShield's integrated plan offerings ensure people bring their best selves to work
This article was produced in partnership with Greenshield.
It’s no secret that mental and physical health are linked. Depression, for instance, can take a physical toll, just as chronic illness can contribute to poor mental health. But employee benefits plans often silo these two aspects of people’s health, providing fragmented care to a workforce that needs an integrated, “whole person” approach.
Joe Blomeley of GreenShield says that needs to change — both for the well-being of employees and the companies they work for. Blomeley is Executive Vice President and Head of Health at GreenShield, Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company.
Whether you’re talking about employees’ physical or mental wellness, Blomeley says, “All these things have an impact on team productivity, and they have an impact on absenteeism.”
With over 40 per cent of Canadians reporting a chronic illness and 70 per cent of employee disability costs driven by mental health, employers must adopt an innovative health and benefits approach to maintain a resilient workforce.
That approach is what drives GreenShield’s integrated service, which is accessible through the GreenShield+ digital platform. There, members experience the full range of GreenShield’s offerings, from benefits plans to health services, all in one place.
A person living with diabetes, for instance, can open their GreenShield+ app and connect with a nurse for a health assessment, order necessary prescriptions for delivery, access coaching from a nutritionist, book a therapy session and submit claims.
The idea is simple: people should spend less time navigating the health care system and more time taking care of their health. It’s a concept that is catching on in the workplace.
As organizations compete for top talent, a comprehensive benefits offering is not just a perk; it’s a strategic necessity. Retention and engagement increasingly hinge on benefits that support people’s body and mind.
“We consistently see and hear from our partners and clients that employees are demanding more,” Blomeley says. When employees voice their expectations, well-being is at the top of the list.
For this reason, says Blomeley, “we've developed solutions that offer support throughout all aspects of a person's life.” In fact, “Discover” – a new GreenShield+ feature – even allows members to search coverage and care offerings based on their life stage, unique health needs and goals leveraging data-driven recommendations. This ensures members can easily access the distinct supports they need when they need them.
GreenShield’s ability to treat its members in a holistic way is largely due to its unique payer-provider model – offering insurance benefits and paying claims as a “payer,” while also offering health services such as mental health, pharmacy, telemedicine, hormonal health supports and chronic disease management programs as a “provider”
The appeal for employers is clear. “At GreenShield, we can provide employers with a highly unique set of integrated services that will improve their employees’ health, leading to a more productive, happier workforce” he says.
Championing benefits that support the whole person can be a transformative strategy for HR leaders building high-performing organizations. After all, when employees thrive, businesses do too.
