Issue 042
Welcome back to E&O Wednesdays, the enrollment-focused digital health newsletter from Exits & Outcomes — for paying subscribers only. This every-other-Wednesday issue digs into digital health companies that sell to self-insured employers as well as others that rely on enrollment-based distribution for their digital health programs.
E&O Wednesdays: Employers
This edition of E&O Wednesdays includes the 45th BigCo digital health employee benefits stack analysis. If you would like a quick summary of what E&O found in its analysis of the previous 40+ BigCo stacks, check out this searchable, sortable database right here. Was this forwarded to you? Increasingly, E&O is a covered benefit from many forward-looking digital health-focused employers. Why not yours? Consider a Business or Enterprise subscription today. Click this link to become a paying subscriber (there are personal plans available too).
Big employer digital benefits stacks: Hitachi and Western Digital
Digital health companies love to boast how many Fortune 500 customers they have. This recurring feature of E&O Wednesdays digs into a couple of Fortune 500s’ (or similarly-sized employers’) digital health stacks. So far, in past Wednesdays issues, I’ve written about the digital health benefits stacks of dozens of big companies. This searchable, sortable database over at the E&O site sums up the benefits stacks of more than 40 BigCos. Or, click any of the BigCo names below to read the newsletter that featured a full write-up for each:
- Walmart,
- Activision Blizzard,
- JP Morgan Chase,
- The Home Depot,
- Boeing,
- 3M,
- Chevron,
- BorgWarner,
- Bank of America,
- UnitedHealth Group,
- Costco,
- eBay,
- McKesson,
- Ford,
- Dell,
- AT&T,
- Disney,
- Novartis,
- Red Bull,
- VMware,
- T-Mobile/Sprint,
- Adobe,
- Phillips 66,
- Cox Enterprises,
- Wells Fargo,
- PayPal,
- Facebook,
- Sony Pictures,
- General Mills,
- General Electric,
- Comcast,
- News Corp,
- Vanguard,
- Nokia,
- HII,
- Fidelity,
- AbbVie,
- Dow Inc.,
- R.R. Donnelley & Sons,
- Target,
- Chipotle,
- W. W. Grainger,
- and Tesla.
This week I dug into the benefits stacks of two big companies: Hitachi and Western Digital. Hitachi is a massive global conglomerate. The benefits stack analyzed below is from one of its subsidiaries, Hitachi Vantara, which says it “delivers the intelligent data platforms, infrastructure systems, and digital expertise that supports more than 80 percent of the Fortune 100.” Here are the digital health benefits that Hitachi offers its employees along with the language the employer uses to describe them:
Amino for Healthcare Advocacy and Concierge Services
I think this is the first time that I’ve noticed Amino listed amongst a big employer’s benefits stacks. Amino’s navigation services include things like finding a specialist, booking a doctor’s appointment, or tracking a deductible. The company’s advocacy and concierge offerings include:
“When it comes to your care, sometimes you need someone on your side to help you figure it all out. Amino personal advocates can do just that. They’re available to all Hitachi Vantara employees and family members, regardless of the medical plan you have. Personal advocates listen to your concerns, answer your questions, guide you to appropriate resources and intervene on your behalf for confusing or frustrating healthcare issues. Contact an Amino personal advocate when you need support and assistance with healthcare issues such as:
- Understanding claims and billing.
- Figuring out eligibility.
- Getting care authorizations.
- Finding the right doctor or provider.
- Calculating your out-of-pocket costs.
- Evaluating health plans during Open Enrollment.”
Amino also offers navigation services for Medicare enrollees. Hitachi reminds employees:
“Have a relative who’s evaluating or already on Medicare? Remember that Amino Advocacy is available at no cost to you and your spouse, dependents, parents, and parents-in-law.”
Livongo for Chronic Condition Management (diabetes and hypertension)
“Livongo is a free program (available to Anthem medical plan members only) designed to help you successfully manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Participants receive advanced blood glucose meters, unlimited blood glucose strips and blood pressure monitor —along with real-time support from a certified health coach when you need it — at no extra charge! You’ll also receive useful information that will help you manage your blood sugar and blood pressure and feel your best. Livongo’s coaches are Certified Diabetes Educators who support you on your journey to better health.”
Hinge Health for Joint and Back Pain Support
“As an Anthem medical plan member, you have access to Hinge Health at no cost to you. Hinge Health offers digital programs that can help you reduce back and joint pain… Once you sign up, you’ll receive a Hinge Health Toolkit.
- Feel confident in your form. With a free tablet and wearable sensors, you can receive live feedback on your form during stretches and exercises.
- Personalized exercise therapy. You’ll be guided through 15-minute sessions, and the level of difficulty will increase when you’re ready.
- One-on-one health coaching. Your coach can provide personalized support via text, email or phone to help you reach your goals.”
Included Health for LGBTQ+ navigation and advocacy
Hitachi also offers an LGBTQ+ focused navigator from Included Health. (Remember, Grand Rounds acquired Included and Doctor on Demand before rebranding the combined entity Included Health.) So, Hitachi has navigator competitors, Included and Amino, side-by-side in their stack:
“With Included Health, you and members of your family get confidential support for all LGBTQ+ health-related needs, at no cost to you. It’s the place to start when you have questions about providers, insurance or support services related to inclusive healthcare… Included Health cuts through red tape and eliminates hassles by helping you find vetted, culturally competent, high-quality providers. They help you navigate the complexities of gender-affirming surgery, schedule appointments, get authorizations, access resources and support groups, start to build your family, and more! With Included Health, you’ll have your very own care coordinator to support all your ongoing needs.”
FertilityIQ for fertility services
“Grow your family with the help of FertilityIQ, a leading online fertility platform that offers support for those hoping to build their family. Find online courses and guides on every fertility subject, insights from fertility experts, reviews of fertility doctors and clinics, and action plans to discuss with your doctor.”
Rethink for pediatric learning or behavioral challenges
“Rethink Benefits is an award-winning, research-based program that provides extra support if you’re raising a child with learning or behavioral challenges or developmental disabilities. This free benefit gives your family 24/7 access to tools and resources to help you and your care team understand, teach and better communicate with your child. You can take advantage of teleconferences with behavioral health experts to get answers to your questions, and guidance as you support your child in reaching his or her potential. Consultations can take place over the phone or via video chat—day or night, weekday or weekend.”
Western Digital’s Employee Benefits Stack
Virtual visits for WD’s employees on Anthem plans: LiveHealth Online
Anthem has worked with Healthcare Management Corp. (HMC) to offer its virtual visits services to members for nearly a decade. HMC is the company behind the LiveHealth Online brand:
“With LiveHealth Online, you can meet with a General Practitioner or Pediatrician 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, via live videoconferencing. All you need is an internet connection and a webcam. Behavioral Health specialists and Psychiatrists are also available via LiveHealth Online. Once you meet your medical plan deductible, you pay only your co-pay. Fees (before deductible):
- General Practitioner visit: $49 (only charged if they can provide services)
- Behavioral Health visit: $80 for a Therapist or $95 for a licensed Psychologist
- Psychiatry visit: $175 for an initial consultation and $75 for a follow-up”
Weight loss and diabetes prevention: Lark
“Lark is a health benefit available at no cost to you that provides personal support to help you lose weight, keep it off, and help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. If you or your adult family members are enrolled in the Anthem Blue Cross health plan and are at risk for type 2 diabetes, Western Digital will cover the entire cost of the program — a $650 value. Lark includes:
- Wireless smart scale to monitor your progress
- Professional health coach to keep you on track
- Interactive program that adapts to you
- Weekly online lessons to educate and inspire
- Small group of participants for real-time support”
New: Brightline for pediatric mental health
“Through Western Digital, you now have access to virtual behavioral healthcare for your child with Brightline. Brightline provides confidential video visits with licensed clinicians, coaching programs to help tackle everyday challenges, and on-the-go access to content, resources, and chat with a coach. Feeling like your child is stressed, depressed, anxious, or having to navigate tough transitions? Interested in more resources or skills to build as a parent or caregiver? Brightline will provide your family with flexible and personalized support so you’re never dealing with the tough stuff alone.”
Anthem members also have access to Virtual Primary Care
First time spotting Anthem’s Virtual Primary Care offering in marketing materials sent to a big company’s employees. This service is powered by Anthem-backed Hydrogen Health.
“Anthem’s Virtual Primary Care (VPC) program offers those enrolled in an Anthem medical plan the option to schedule a virtual primary care appointment (routine care, wellness check-ins and prescription refills) or chat with a doctor 24/7 for urgent care support. Anthem’s VPC program allows you to find complete care support, on your time. Access this program by downloading the Anthem Sydney mobile app. Set up your account right away and it will be ready to use when you need it.”
Virgin Pulse for fitness
Virgin Pulse is among the fitness benefits that Western offers its employees:
“With the Virgin Pulse wellness program, participants get fun and engaging challenges, helpful content, and tools to encourage making wellbeing a priority. There are opportunities to earn points for a variety of health and wellness activities that can then be redeemed for gift cards and other items on the Virgin Pulse platform. Employees are eligible for up to $100 per quarter or $400 annually in Pulse Cash if you choose to participate!”
Crossover Health for on-site clinics and virtual care services
Western Digital also has a handful of on-site clinics at its big offices around the country. These clinics are branded as “Drive Wellness” but are powered by Crossover Health. The clinics provide primary care and health coaching services both in-person and online:
“We provide comprehensive care when you need it, in-person or online. We staff a team of experts from different backgrounds to serve your unique needs.”
That’s a wrap on Hitachi’s and Western Digital’s very different benefits stacks. Which BigCos should E&O dig into next? Hit reply if you have a suggestion.
Links to E&O’s reports, databases, newsletters
Click below for dedicated pages for each of those categories:
- Read through the long-form E&O research reports here.
- Search and sort the E&O databases here.
- Skim more than 200 past issues of E&O newsletters here.