More than a one-year decision

What to look for in a long-term health plan partner

Most employers hope they won't have to think much about their health plan after open enrollment.

But that's rarely how it works. Employees start using their benefits. Questions come up. Claims are filed. Someone needs help finding a specialist. A new employee joins the company, and so on. 

Before long, it's time to think about renewal. That's when employers begin to see whether they chose a health plan, or a partner who is in it for the long haul. For employers trying to manage health care costs, the strongest partnerships aren't built around the lowest premium or a one-year deal. They're built on trust, consistency and a future-forward business model that continues delivering value year after year.

Think beyond the next renewal

Every employer wants a competitive price. But price is only part of the equation. The key question is whether the health plan is helping control health care costs over time. So, employers need to pay attention to clinical programs, care management, pharmacy data, behavioral health programs and other resources. Data insights help employers understand medical trends at renewal. They also help employees get the care they need before small problems become larger and more expensive. 

"When employers choose a health plan, they're making a decision that affects their workforce for years to come. Our job is to help them manage health care costs over the long haul—not simply deliver savings in year one.” Andrea Larsen, Associate Vice President of Sales

Stability you can measure

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) has served employers and members across the state for more than 80 years. Ninety-three percent of employer groups renew their coverage year after year,¹ reflecting long-standing relationships with employers throughout Kansas. 

As a Kansas-based, not-for-profit health insurer, BCBSKS approaches health care differently. Approximately 88 cents of every premium dollar goes directly toward paying members' claims.² The remaining dollars are invested in programs, services and clinical support designed to improve the health care experience. Because BCBSKS doesn’t have shareholders, those dollars aren't used to generate returns for investors.

For employers, those numbers provide something that's difficult to measure but easy to appreciate—confidence that their health plan is focused on the long term.

Stability at a glance

Looking ahead

Claims reports give employers a snapshot of what is happening now, and clinical programs help influence what happens next. That's why BCBSKS invests in integrated medical, pharmacy and behavioral health programs that identify opportunities for earlier intervention, better care coordination and healthier outcomes.

Programs such as HighTouchRx have generated more than $7.8 million in pharmacy savings since 2022.⁴ Disease Management programs have also lowered costs for high-risk patients and may reduce hospital readmissions by up to nearly 30%.³ Those programs aren't designed simply to reduce claims today. They're intended to help employers better manage health care costs over time while improving the health of their workforce.

More than a health plan

Employer groups choose Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas because of consistency, trust and a future-forward business model built for the long term. This means having a partner that understands Kansas employers, invests in the communities it serves and advocates for policies that improve affordability and access to care. It also means making decisions with the long term in mind rather than focusing on short-term gains.

For more than 80 years, that's been Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas' commitment to the employers and communities it serves. 

Connect with a BCBSKS sales representative to learn how a long-term partnership can help your business manage health care costs with confidence. Visit bcbsks.com/biz to get started. If you have 50 or fewer employees, get a quote to explore coverage options for your business.