Three Ways Unions Benefit from Care Navigation

In 2021, around one in three Americans faced challenges accessing specialty care for themselves or a family member. From difficulty getting an appointment, to not being able to afford to see a specialist, to a lack of specialists in their area, there are many factors that can prevent someone from getting the care they need.

For union members, putting off specialty care that’s recommended by their primary care provider is often more than just delaying feeling better – it can be putting their jobs and their lives at risk by not solving for preventable health concerns.

Care navigators are specialized experts trained to mitigate that risk by helping members get the care they need for the best value, in the way that’s best for them, making these unsung heroes a crucial part of a union’s benefit plan.

What is care navigation?

Care navigation is one piece of an advanced primary care model for unions. A care navigator, a trained expert equipped with on-the-ground information on specialty networks in the areas where members live and work, uses that data to set up effective referrals for members. That is, referrals to healthcare facilities and providers who do high-quality work at the most affordable price.

Care navigators help manage the referral process from start to finish. They find high-quality, cost-effective providers and work with the member to schedule the appointment at a time that works for their busy lives. Then, they make sure that the member not only follows through on going to the appointment, but also confirms the member gets the support they need afterwards, too.

Since specialty care can vary in cost, quality, and accessibility – influenced by factors that may not be obvious to the average member – that means that care navigators can bridge the gap for members who are at risk of delaying care without additional support.

Why is care navigation so important for unions?

Care navigation lowers healthcare costs

As anyone who has gotten a referral knows, specialist visits are often expensive. Costs of care and procedures vary not just between facilities, but between providers within the same facility, making finding the best price for your care difficult.

Care navigators use data to find best care for the best price and make it easy for members to access it. As a result, members spend less on specialty care – from important tests like colonoscopies to complex procedures like knee replacements.

Not only does this reduce the stress on members’ wallets, it benefits the Taft-Hartley funds that serve them, too. When funds save money on expensive claims for procedures and specialty care, that money can be reinvested in additional benefits for the fund’s members and their families.

Care navigation creates a better experience

Navigating a sudden or complex care need can be stressful. When members have concierge support from an expert, they know they aren’t facing it alone.

Care navigators build trusted relationships with members, becoming the single point of contact for referrals on the care team. Union members are busy, and in many industries, must minimize their time away from work to support their families. Care navigators get to know the life circumstances that drive a members’ health needs.

Having a go-to person who understands their values helps make the specialty care journey less daunting. When union members feel supported, they’re happier with their benefits overall, more likely to ensure their families take advantage, and recommend their organization to others.

Care navigation promotes better health for members

At the end of the day, it’s all about keeping your members happy and healthy. Because care navigators take care of the hard part of finding and coordinating specialty care, members are less likely to get lost in the system and more likely to get the care that they need sooner.

The reality is, not all facilities are created equal. Care navigators play an important role in cutting through the noise and finding providers and facilities that deliver the best outcomes, so members don’t have to undergo duplicative care for the same concern.

Along the way, care navigators also keep the rest of the care team in the loop on what’s going on with the member, including any recommendations from specialty care providers. That way, when members return to everyday life, they have a team of experts ready to support.

Make it easier for your members to get great care.

When you make care navigation available to your members, you’re opening up new opportunities to feel better faster without breaking the bank. As the experts behind specialty care on the care team, care navigators are a crucial part of any labor organization’s advanced primary care model.

For leaders looking for ways to manage specialty care and referrals, there’s no better resource. Ready to put better care on the roadmap for your people? Reach out today to learn how.

Q&A

Q1: What does a care navigator do for union members?

A: A care navigator helps members through every step of getting specialty care. They find providers and facilities that do high-quality work at a fair price, help schedule visits at times that fit a member’s work and family life, and check in to make sure members go to their appointments and understand what to do next. This takes stress off members and helps them feel supported.

Q2: How does care navigation save money?

A: Care navigators use real cost and quality data to compare providers and facilities in a given market. They guide members to care that is more affordable and is proven to deliver better health outcomes. Because care navigators stay connected to members’ primary care providers along the way, they can see the full picture of a members’ health beyond just specialty visits, and can help them avoid surprise bills, unnecessary tests, and repeat appointments.

When members stay healthier and spend less, union health funds save money, and that savings can be used to improve benefits for everyone.

Q3: How does care navigation help members stay healthy?

A: Care navigators make it easier to get the right care sooner. They help members avoid delays by setting up referrals and keeping everything on track. They also guide members to providers with who do high-quality work, which can lead to better care for members when they need it most. When members get care early and from the right place, they are more likely to recover faster and stay healthy.