Why access matters to your workforce — and your bottom line

Employer groups are getting squeezed from two directions right now. They must rein in health care costs without letting the benefits package get so thin it stops attracting and keeping good employees.

Most employers are asking some version of the same three questions. Is our spending predictable? Do we actually know what we're paying for? Are we getting value for it?

Access is central to all three. When employees can easily access care — and are supported in using their benefits effectively — they're more likely to seek preventive services, manage chronic conditions and address health concerns before they become more serious.

Why access drives cost and outcomes

When employees face barriers to care — including limited provider networks, confusion about who's in-network and uncertainty about where to go for care — they're more likely to delay treatment until problems become more complicated and more expensive.

That’s why network strength is one of the most important drivers of a health plan’s value. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has the largest provider network in Kansas, plus access to more than 2 million doctors and hospitals nationwide.¹ Ninety-eight percent of Blue Cross claims get paid in-network,² helping members maximize their benefits while avoiding unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

The numbers back it up. With Blue Cross, total cost of care runs 7% below national competitors,³ backed by more than $4.5 billion in exclusive Kansas provider discounts and savings of up to 66% on common services.⁴

"One of my employees was diagnosed with cancer and when he went in, the gal that took his information said, 'Oh wow, that plan you have is awesome. That is a Cadillac plan.' It’s awesome that we’ve been able to help him in that fight." — John Hardman, Jayhawk Bowling Supply & Equipment, Inc.

What poor access actually costs

One of the clearest examples of the cost of poor access is unnecessary emergency room use. Between 13% and 27% of ER visits in the U.S. could be treated in lower-cost settings.⁵ Many of those visits are driven by limited access to primary care, where employees can receive treatment earlier and avoid higher-cost care altogether.

The cheapest plan isn't always the best deal

Cost matters — it always will. But chasing the lowest sticker price doesn't usually pay off over the long run. The real goal is a strategy that keeps people healthy while controlling costs over time, not one that just defers the cost to later (and usually makes it bigger).

Give employees real access — preventive care, chronic condition support, the information to make good decisions — and the payoff shows up beyond health care costs. The proof is in a more productive workforce, fewer disruptions and greater confidence in the benefits package itself.

Access means more than a big network

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas pairs a strong local network with national reach, so employees can get care wherever they live, work or travel. We're just as focused on the other half of the equation: helping employers understand the value they're getting for their investment.

Access to care is about more than network size. It's removing barriers, improving outcomes and helping both employers and employees get value from their health plan. Get that right, and the rest follows: a healthier workforce, costs you can predict and a benefits investment that pays for itself.

We take care of the people who take care of your business.

See how better access to care can help your employees stay healthier while helping you manage costs over the long term.

Learn more at bcbsks.com/biz.