As healthcare costs rise, HR benefit leaders look for effective ways to address one of the biggest cost drivers: chronic conditions. Managing illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, and musculoskeletal issues requires continuous oversight, which places a heavy burden on employers’ healthcare budgets. In fact, chronic conditions cost U.S. employers around $36 billion annually, impacting both direct treatment costs and indirect costs like absenteeism and reduced productivity.  While traditional healthcare models often fail to address these complex challenges, personalized care management is emerging as game-changers. Accolade offers proactive, efficient, and employee-friendly way to manage chronic conditions, helping organizations reduce costs and improve workforce health outcomes.

Integrated care solutions for managing chronic conditions

Accolade provides an integrated solution to tackle chronic conditions through a whole-person care approach, including:

• Personalized guidance to help employees navigate their healthcare benefits and find the care they need.

• Virtual primary and mental health care services addressing immediate concerns and supporting long-term health needs.

• Expert medical opinion services connecting members with specialists for second opinions, ensuring confidence in treatment plans.

Together, these integrated services provide a seamless, evidence-based approach that empowers employees to take control of their health and reduce costs for employers.

Whole-person care through proactive engagement

We focus on providing proactive, continuous support. By assessing each member's health status and potential risks, Accolade identifies their specific needs and connects them with the most appropriate care resources—whether it's chronic condition management, virtual primary care, or expert medical opinions. Take James, a 45-year-old truck driver and Accolade member, as an example. Struggling with frequent asthma flare-ups, James relied heavily on costly urgent care visits, which affected his health and productivity. By leveraging virtual primary care through Accolade Care, his Care Team developed a comprehensive plan to address his asthma management and overall health needs. This reduced his reliance on urgent care visits and significantly improved his quality of life.

Early intervention through evidence-based insights

Chronic conditions can escalate rapidly without timely care, leading to costly treatments and extended absences from work. Many employees delay seeking care due to uncertainty about their options, further compounding the issue. Accolade tackles these challenges with a personalized, data-driven approach to early intervention. By analyzing member data and healthcare utilization patterns, Accolade identifies high-risk employees and proactively engages with them to offer tailored recommendations and support. For example, when Accolade member Lori was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, her Care Team reached out and connected her with an oncology nurse who guided her through treatment options. They also coordinated an expert medical opinion with a 2nd.MD by Accolade specialist, ensuring she received the best possible care plan. This approach ensured Lori received the best possible care plan, avoided over $50,000 in unnecessary costs, and gained confidence in her treatment journey. (1) On average, Accolade clients achieve 118% higher per-employee-per-year savings, demonstrating the power of proactive care and evidence-based interventions. (2)

A trusted partner ecosystem for chronic disease management

Managing chronic conditions often requires going beyond standard medical treatment. Employees benefit from a full range of support, including mental health resources, lifestyle coaching, and access to preventive services. Accolade integrates these elements, ensuring employees stay engaged and supported throughout their health journey.  Additionally, Accolade partners with a curated ecosystem of trusted digital health solutions targeting high-cost conditions like diabetes, musculoskeletal issues, and chronic kidney disease. These specialized point solutions are available to employers as an added resource, and our Care Team seamlessly connects members to these specialized programs, ensuring they receive expert care at the right time while reducing costs.

Improved outcomes lead to lower healthcare costs

Accolade delivers a comprehensive care model designed to reduce the costs of managing chronic conditions while improving employee health outcomes. Through data-driven personalization, whole-person care, and expert guidance, employers experience fewer high-cost interventions, reduced absenteeism, and greater employee satisfaction with their health benefits.

For HR leaders, Accolade offers a forward-thinking solution to rising healthcare costs. By investing in a proactive and personalized care model, organizations can enhance employee wellness, reduce long-term expenses, and build a healthier, more productive workforce.

Contact us today to learn how Accolade can transform your approach to chronic condition management.

Sources:

1. Real Accolade member case study, name changed to protect privacy

2. Accolade Book of Business data