Encouraging Preventive Care: 4 Steps That Can Lead to Healthier Employees and Lower Costs

Proactive health care supports healthier employees and creates a stronger, more resilient workplace. Deloitte estimates that proactive health measures could save the U.S. health care system up to $2.2 trillion annually by 2040, equating to more than $7,000 per person. Yet today, much of our nation’s health care spending still focuses on treating illness instead of preventing it.

Employers have an opportunity to help change that story. How? By encouraging preventive care, such as regular checkups, immunizations and more, employees stay healthier, reduce the need for costly treatments and manage long-term expenses.

Preventive care services are fully covered under Univera Healthcare health plans, even for employees with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). That means employers can promote a healthier workplace and support their team’s wellbeing without adding financial strain.

Now is the perfect time to encourage employees to take advantage of their preventive health benefits. Here are four ways they can make wellness a natural part of their company culture.

1. Communicate Clearly and Often

The first step in increasing employees’ participation in preventive care is by promoting awareness. Many employees may not realize that routine services, like annual checkups, screenings and immunizations are already covered at no additional cost when using an in-network provider.

Consistent, clear communication can make a big difference. Use existing channels to share reminders and resources throughout the year. Whether it’s a post on your intranet, a message in your employee newsletter, or an email reminder, repetition helps information stick, which means employees are more likely to take action.

To make it easy for you to communicate with your team about preventive care, we’ve created ready-to-send email templates that can be accessed through the prioritize your team’s health with preventive care toolkit.

Encourage managers and HR teams to share messaging team meetings or one-on-one check-ins. When employees hear consistent support from leadership and peers alike, they are more likely to prioritize their health.

2. Make Time for Wellness

Time is one of the biggest barriers to preventive care. Between work, meetings and family responsibilities, that annual physical, immunization, or screening can easily fall to the bottom of the list.

Employers can help remove that barrier by offering paid time off specifically for wellness visits. Even just a few hours of flexible time to attend an annual physical or well-child appointment can make a real difference. Studies show that employees who receive regular preventive care are less likely to develop chronic illnesses that lead to long-term absenteeism or costly treatments. In other words, supporting wellness time now can prevent bigger disruptions later.

For organizations that can’t offer time off, small gestures still go a long way. Encourage scheduling appointments early in the day or near lunch breaks. It’s a simple way to show that health and flexibility matter.

3. Offer Incentives for Participation

Incentives can spark engagement and show that preventive care is a shared priority and part of the company culture.

Consider incorporating preventive activities into existing wellness programs. For example, offer rewards for completing an annual checkup, getting a flu shot, or participating in a health screening. Even modest rewards like gift cards, wellness points, or recognition in company communications can make a meaningful impact and motivate employees to stay proactive with their health.

The key is to keep it simple. Employers should tell their team what counts as preventive care, where more information can be found, and how participation in incentives can be reported or tracked. Within the prioritize your team’s health with preventive care toolkit.

You’ll also find guides and resources to create an incentive program along with information to support your team.

Rewarding preventive care not only encourages healthy habits, but shows the true value around employee health. That care builds trust, loyalty, and a stronger sense of community at work.

4. Support for Ongoing Vaccine Adherence

Vaccinations are one of the easiest and most effective forms of preventive care. They protect individuals, families, communities and entire workplaces by reducing  the spread of illness and keeping everyone healthier.

Encourage employees to stay up to date on their flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19 vaccines, as well as recommended well-child and adolescent immunizations for dependents. A few minutes for a shot today can save days of sick time later. These vaccines are covered fully under Univera Healthcare plans when received through in-network providers.

Make is simple for you and your team; share vaccine reminders in company newsletters or consider offering pop-up flu shot clinics on-site. You can also provide information about local pharmacies or community health centers that offer convenient appointments.

When vaccination becomes a shared value, it builds a culture of care—one where everyone benefits from a healthier, safer workplace.

Preventive Care Matters — For Everyone’s Health

Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes while managing costs. By helping employees take advantage of covered preventive services, employers can:

It’s a win for employees, employers and Western New York as a whole. Preventive care keeps people healthier, workplaces stronger and communities more resilient. By encouraging your workforce to take advantage of these fully covered benefits, you’re contributing to a healthier future for all.

Take the Next Step

Preventive care doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t cost extra. Services such as annual checkups, well-woman and well-child visits, cancer screenings, cholesterol and diabetes testing, and immunizations are all fully covered when employees visit in-network providers.

To learn more about what’s covered, encourage your team to log in to their Univera Healthcare online member account to see what’s covered, find an in-network provider, and manage their care, all in one convenient place.

Health coverage is about more than costs and benefits, it’s about better outcomes for all.

At Univera Healthcare, we’re right here for you to support more affordable coverage for the well-being of your employees and your business. Together, we can make preventive care a priority and help Western New Yorkers live healthier lives.