Mercer Offers Health Benefits Decision Support

Mercer and Accolade, a health care concierge for employers, health plans and health systems, launched Mercer Complete Care.

According to the Accolade Consumer Healthcare Experience Index, 80% of consumers would value having a trusted person to support them through the health care system, yet only 56% of large employer programs include even a basic advocacy solution.

Mercer Complete Care unifies the clinical resources and expertise of both organizations, bringing together Accolade’s technology platform, support infrastructure and Accolade Health Assistants with Mercer’s program design, implementation and clinical oversight. Consumers using Mercer Complete Care simply contact an Accolade Health Assistant via the phone, mobile application or online to address their questions and begin their relationship. The program is employer-sponsored, compatible with most insurance carriers and will contain performance guarantees related to return on investment.

Accolade Health Assistants will serve as a single point of contact to help Mercer Complete Care members navigate the complexities of the health care system and access the providers and services available to them through their benefits. The Health Assistants work closely with a team of nurses, doctors, pharmacists, social workers and behavioral and other specialists who support members as they receive their care from their own providers. Accolade’s open technology platform integrates with other technology and health care point solutions to drive utilization and engagement levels across the entire health care ecosystem.

By offering Mercer Complete Care, employers can help their workforce and dependents:

• Manage their physical and mental health conditions no matter their level of health risk;
• Understand their health benefits and make optimal provider choices;
• Consider their benefits, medical and life factors when making decisions;
• Navigate annual enrollment and new hire benefit selection;
• Tackle billing and claims appeals; and
• Improve utilization of employer-sponsored health programs and services.

“We are very excited to combine health care engagement and clinical management into one comprehensive solution,” says Jim McNary, North America Region business leader for Health & Benefits at Mercer. “We believe Mercer Complete Care is a truly unique advocacy and clinical management model for the complex and fast-moving health care environment that all of our clients, and their employees, find themselves in today.”

Additional information is online here.