As health care costs continue to rise, EPOCH encourages all employers to include consumer engagement as part of their overall health management stategy. Studies show that engaging employees early and often in the health care process empowers them to take ownership for their health. Components of a successful strategy include:

• Creating greater health care cost awareness
• Rewards for healthy lifestyles and appropriate utilization
• Equipping members with effective decision support tools
• Improving communication between the employee and provider

EPOCH delivers services that will allow you to implement both short and long-term consumer engagement strategies, including:

• Plan Design: HRA, FSA, and HDHP/HSA administration
• Decision Support: EPOCH Access, including Provider Profiling and Wellness
• Health Management, including Health Risk Appraisals, Screenings, Disease Management, Communications, Coaching

Effective employee communication is the key to engaging employees in the health care process.