We all need a little nudge sometimes, especially when it comes to doing things that might seem a bit inconvenient, such as scheduling a preventive visit even though we feel fine. Some of us stay on top of our preventive screening schedule, which is easier if our doctor’s office has a patient portal. Others might let their preventive service slide a bit.
At Independent Health, we realize that some of these services – like a colonoscopy or a mammogram – might take a back seat to other pressing tasks and responsibilities we have. Although Independent Health has always tried our best to encourage our members to get their recommended services, we’ve enhanced our member engagement efforts through technology and analytics.
Our goal is to provide relevant and timely information to our members based on the information we have. Along with general reminders, we now send our members the information they need to know – based on their own preferences.
Using secure, advanced data analytics, we tailor interactions at the individual level to increase the relevance and impact of our outreach efforts. We have also developed options to ensure information is consistently delivered in ways members prefer, such as email, secure messages, app notifications, outbound call campaigns, traditional mail, and even inbound contact such as customer service.
We have a cross-functional team that uses data to reach members with compelling content in a targeted, highly personalized and consistent manner. This includes increasing the use of standard preventive services; promoting our health plan benefits, tools and resources; and encouraging proactive engagement in care management initiatives.
It helps that more than half of our members aged 18 and older have an online account with us, which enables us to provide targeted messages to help them get the most out of their health coverage and gives them access to tools and resources that allow them to live healthier lives.
This refreshed approach has been successful. Independent Health’s member engagement capabilities have driven meaningful results for members. In 2024, our Member Engagement team encouraged more than 157,000 members by direct electronic communication to schedule a preventive visit such as their annual check-up, colon cancer screening, flu shot, or breast cancer screening.
Another way we engage members is through an innovative incentive program called “RedShirt Rewards.” This program provides gift cards for members just for completing actions that can help them manage their health and wellness.
For commercial plans, each member on a policy is eligible to earn up to $30 in rewards each plan year when they complete healthy activities that are right for them, such as the annual checkup, recommended cancer screenings, immunizations, and more. Members can redeem their rewards at a wide range of participating partners, including Amazon.com, Nike, Target and more. We also offer RedShirt Rewards to our Medicare Advantage members.
This initiative has helped to encourage members to get their preventive services. More than 209,000 RedShirt Reward activities were completed in 2024 by commercial and Medicare members:
- 115,000 annual checkups completed
- 60,000 flu shots completed
- 33,200 breast cancer screenings completed
By offering innovative and unique programs we engage with members, we are helping them to get and stay healthy. To learn more about our plans and benefits, visit us online.
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