Nov 12, 2024
Health care literacy is necessary to maintain good health. When we understand what we are told and what we read about our health and wellness, we are able to make choices that lead to better health outcomes and reduce hospital stays and emergency room visits.
What is health literacy?
The World Health Organization defines health literacy as the ability to gain access to, understand and use information to promote and maintain good health. At its most basic, functional health care literacy includes the ability to:
- Find appropriate health care providers.
- Make appointments for health care.
- Understand a diagnosis, treatment and how to use medications.
- Make the link between lifestyle choices and health.
- Read and comprehend food labels.
Health literacy can be impacted by many factors. Most of us will have trouble understanding our health from time to time, but low health literacy is especially associated with people:
- Who are older.
- Have limited education.
- Have lower income.
- With chronic health conditions.
- For whom English is not their native language.
However, people of any age, education level, income and health status can have problems with health literacy, especially when they:
- Aren't familiar with medical terms or how their bodies work.
- Are asked to interpret statistics and evaluate risks.
- Have a serious diagnosis or complicated treatment.
How can employers help?
Companies can promote health literacy by:
- Making sure employees have access to health insurance information year-round, not just during Open Enrollment.
- Offering webinars, articles and guides.
- Distributing information about specific wellness topics on a regular basis.
- Add health literacy education to your established training program.
- Hire a chief health officer who can serve as a trusted resource in making informed health care decisions.
- Make preventive health easy to understand and accessible to all.
Access to quality health coverage matters. Studies show that people who lack health insurance are less likely to receive preventive care and treatment for health problems than those with quality health plans.
This is important because seeing a quality provider on a regular basis can help catch health problems early and boost health literacy. According to Healthcare.gov, a quality health care provider will offer easy-to-understand communication tools like patient portals, provide interpreters when necessary, avoid medical jargon and communicate in a way to ensure patient comprehension.
Allstate Benefits can help
Allstate Benefits offers both self-funded and fully insured group health options that are specifically designed for small- and mid-sized companies.
Their self-funded plan designs are a great choice for employers who are looking for ways to take control of their health care costs. If a group's claims are lower than expected, they may get a refund of a portion of the difference at the end of the plan year.1
All plans include preventive coverage that aligns with Affordable Care Act requirements.
Allstate Benefits offers these resources to help plan members understand how to use their benefits and improve health literacy:
- Industry-leading customer service. Plan members can reach out to our customer service team for help finding the most appropriate care, understanding benefits and the best way to use their plan.
- Online resources to help members understand their benefits and health insurance terminology.
Contact your Amwins Connect Regional Sales Manager today to learn more about how Allstate Benefits can help your clients and their employees.
1. Refund is subject to any applicable Terminal Liability Coverage fee.
