Transitioning cardiometabolic care vendors: Is it worth the hassle?
The rising popularity of cardiometabolic care solutions
Some employers found virtual healthcare partners early. Others are just now discovering what’s out there to care for their population’s cardiometabolic health. But as the number of solutions grows, employers get to step back and assess what benefits are and aren’t working for their employees.
Because it’s not enough for these vendors to be the first on the market or a legacy partnership. They need to work. Otherwise, employees won’t get the long-term health outcomes they deserve.
Over the last decade, healthcare has seen a rise in the number of cardiometabolic care solutions. These platforms address diabetes, heart disease,obesity, and other common health risks through virtual applications. They use a combination of lessons, trackers, and face-to-face time with providers to personalize care.
While the earliest platforms focused solely on treating diabetes with remote monitoring devices, the market has since grown beyond that narrow scope. The best cardiometabolic solutions now care for a wide range of related conditions (like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.) and the underlying mental health issues that often accompany those chronic diseases (like depression and anxiety). Some even offer help for low back pain and other common musculoskeletal issues.
Solutions that understand the complex nature of care can better help members get where they need to be. So when is the time to make the switch? And what does it look like to transition vendors?
Navigating a changing and growing market
Benefits professionals are already managing a lot of vendors, and trying to create a cohesive ecosystem for their workforce. Transitioning to a new vendor can be such a daunting task. But with the rise of serious metabolic issues, keeping solutions because they’re the status quo becomes much more costly. Employers and their employees deserve to get the return on their investment and the outcomes they need from their virtual care partners.
The prevalence of virtual care has really skyrocketed over the last few years with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. More and more organizations have seen how virtual care options work better for their populations. Virtual care platforms can reduce obstacles of care and address inequalities caused by social determinants of health.
What makes a great cardiometabolic solution?
The best cardiometabolic care solutions understand that physical health affects mental health, and vice versa. For example, diabetes is never just diabetes. There’s usually other underlying conditions there, including depression.
Cardiometabolic care solutions that are designed for both body and mind are best fit to make a difference in a person’s health. Plus, they make sure care options for both are accessed through one application. Otherwise, members have a confusing experience trying to get the help they need for all their conditions.
All cardiometabolic care solutions are not created equal
As the cardiometabolic care market has grown, so has the autonomy of employers to make the best choice for their people. Before, companies didn’t have a lot of choices when taking the step to care for employees with cardiometabolic conditions. Now, they can revisit — or even explore for the first time — what sets some solutions apart from others.
An easy way to check the difference between virtual care platforms is their Net Promoter Score (NPS). This statistic judges how likely it is that a member would recommend the application to a friend. The higher the score, the more likely it will be loved by your population.
Disjointed member experience, limited content, and lack of accessibility are all things that can negatively impact how often a person uses the platform. When members use the solution less, it impacts their outcomes and ability to receive meaningful care.
How to evaluate your current vendor
An important factor in member experience is how easy the platform is for members to use. To figure this out, employers and benefit leaders can ask questions like:
- Do members need to download different apps for mental health and physical health?
- Does the solution follow digital accessibility standards so everyone can use it?
- Can Spanish-preferred speakers use this application easily?
- Is the content and options tailored for a member’s personal health needs?
Flexible solutions are often the best equipped to improve cardiometabolic outcomes. Members who have member support groups will engage more than those who can only talk to — or, worse, only text — their providers.
Accessibility is also a major player. It’s unfair of vendors to expect that their members own smartphones or have a firm understanding of technology in order to receive care. As it turns out, most people with cardiometabolic conditions are least likely to have the right tools to receive the care they need. We never want to place the burden of care on members to the extent that they won’t receive care at all.
But is it worth the effort of switching vendors?
It makes sense that employers are worried about disruption for their employees, maybe even a lapse in care. On top of that, the thought of added costs is scary. While common, most of these concerns are misconceptions of what a vendor transition has to look like.
Staying with a legacy solution for convenience may be the easy short-term option. But in the long-haul, companies end up paying more than they realize. Beyond just healthcare bills, lost employee productivity and more frequent medical leave increases costs.
Though transitions need to be handled well, moving from one vendor to another is not nearly as hard as we’re led to believe. The right solution makes sure the transition is seamless for benefits leaders and members. An application designed with new users in mind makes it so they can start using the application without a hitch.
Why are companies transitioning to Vida?
Benefits leaders are beginning to realize they can shift to a better solution that works for their entire population. Gone are the days of companies feeling bound to limited market options. Now, they can find the solution that will work best for their people without worrying about breaking the bank.
Vida Health is a cardiometabolic care solution that achieves meaningful cost savings for high risk cohorts in the first year. Because Vida is healthcare designed for body and mind, we know our members will have greater success. That’s why employers can partner with Vida and have 100% fees at risk for both mental and physical health outcomes.
We partner with benefits leaders to keep companies updated and their members engaged. Our team offers support directly to employees to carefully guide them through the process and address any of their concerns.
We know your people are your greatest asset, and keeping them healthy is what’s best for your business. Getting them the adequate cardiometabolic care they need is the first step in helping them lead healthy, happy lives.
Getting the results your people deserve
Whether a company is transitioning vendors or just beginning their cardiometabolic care option, Vida helps members get set up with the devices they need. Our members reduce their blood sugar levels (or A1C) and can reduce their reliance on medication. However, we know medications for diabetes can be necessary and lifesaving, which is why we also prescribing services to improve outcomes.
Join the rising numbers of employers taking the next step in caring for their population. Make a direct impact on your employees living with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other cardiometabolic conditions by partnering with Vida today.