Beyond the Waiting Room: How Overwhelming Healthcare Can Affect Your Employees

Overwhelming Healthcare Can Affect Your Employees. Having access to high-quality healthcare is essential. But what happens if that healthcare becomes overwhelming, confusing or even intimidating? When employees begin to feel pressured by providers or don’t understand the costs involved with treatment, they can become frustrated, develop a lack of trust in the system, and wonder if they’re receiving the best possible care or simply being pushed into unnecessary treatment.

Recently, a member reached out to discuss concerns about her current medical situation. After her annual check-up, her healthcare provider recommended follow-up imaging due to an abnormal result. Following the second scan, her provider told her a biopsy would be required. She became confused and overwhelmed. She had several important questions: Is it typical to undergo a biopsy? Is it customary to have additional imaging? In the event of negative results, what steps should she take and where should she go?

Employees shouldn’t have to navigate healthcare alone.

Most people don’t expect to be immediately pushed into a series of extra tests after a routine checkup. Whether the doctor recommends a third ultrasound or an MRI, being rushed into a procedure or test without truly understanding the situation can be overwhelming. This pressure can leave employees feeling isolated, causing them to second-guess their decisions and avoid important steps in their care.

Situations like these are becoming increasingly common. In the powerful documentary, It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Healthcare, co-produced by Conner Insurance, Nelson Griswold, founder of NextGen Benefits Network, shared insight about the importance of asking more questions, seeking a second opinion, and understanding why employees may feel hesitant when making healthcare decisions, “Most people are familiar with the Mayo Clinic. It's one of the premier healthcare facilities in the country. They did a peer-reviewed study of exactly what outcomes they saw when they did their second opinions. What percentage of original opinions did the Mayo Clinic determine to be one hundred percent wrong? Twenty-one percent. That means that one in five doctors completely misdiagnosed their patients.

One in five.

How does that make you feel about your doctor?”

Making healthcare decisions can be difficult–not knowing who to trust can be worse. When employees become overwhelmed, having an expert consultant to help can be invaluable, especially when it comes to healthcare. Access to personalized, one-on-one, guidance can give employees a moment to pause, take a breath, and allow them to make more informed, confident choices.

Your Employees Are Not Alone

Your employees could be confused, anxious, and overwhelmed by the constant stream of medical advice and costs. With the help of a trusted consultant, you can ensure they have access to the right information at the right time.

If your employees are facing difficult medical decisions, let us help guide them. Begin with this free tool, designed to help you ensure you and your employees are receiving high-quality care, then reach out for more information and support.

At Conner, our mission is to provide sound counsel, helping individuals and employers manage critical healthcare decisions. Reach out to discuss your benefit needs today. We’re here to listen.