Healthcare Consulting and COVID-19

Employers have a lot to deal with, with this persistent pandemic. Many employees are anxious about returning to the office, and organizations are concerned about preventing viral spread, as well as what new benefit plans should look like. And what with so much conflicting news and recommendations, it’s difficult to know what to do to both keep employees safe and healthy and maintain a viable business. That’s where outside help can come in handy. Here’s what you should know about healthcare consulting and COVID-19.

Addressing COVID-19 in the Workplace

Here’s what employers are potentially dealing with during these historic times, especially if proper measures aren’t taken:

• Anxiety and fear among about potential viral spread.
• Viral spread
• More absenteeism and resignations
• Less productivity
• Possible liability
• More chance for Occupational Safety and Health Administration complaints

Workplace Exposure Control

You will likely need help with some COVID-19 services, including

• Exposure evaluation. An assessment of the means of possible viral transmission in your workplace.
• Exposure control. A plan to help you deal with what the above evaluation turns up.
• Company-wide training. Everyone needs to be apprised of plan details, which may include how to properly use personal protective equipment.
• Personal protective equipment. Speaking of which, you’ll need to identify PPE sources, should such equipment become necessary, as well as what kind of PPE you may need.
• OSHA compliance. There are federal and state requirements with which you must comply. You must be ready for a possible inspection.
• Periodic audits. You’ll need to regularly audit your exposure control plan to identify any issues.
• COVID-19 testing. A consultant will help you decide whether testing is needed, and if so, who might be a good administrator. Note that such testing may include for viral antibodies.
• Positive cases. If you’re going to test, then you need to know how to respond, and that’s including how you communicate the situation to employees.

Benefit Strategies During COVID-19

Market forces have been accelerated during COVID-19, and organizations must now get more value from health and benefits programs, even as they strive to keep workers healthy. You’ll need healthcare consulting to help here as well.

What is Meant by Value?

The term “value” is multi-faceted, in that it encompasses what benefits employees value as well as the value of the care provided. What’s more, it also considers the value of the selected benefit partners. You need a consultant who will view all these elements holistically.

How Can Employees Reinvent for Value?

Aided by a consultant such as Mercer, employers can take value-based actions to reinvent their benefits plans.

Specifically, organizations need help with:

• Reinventing through design. You need a design that delivers quality healthcare, including digital care such as telehealth; adopts new care models; and that offers customizable benefits.
• Reinventing through experience. You’ll need an experienced consultant, such as Mercer, to help you find novel ways to handle health and benefits, diverse programming, and perquisites that are not one size fits all. You’ll also need help with behavioral health, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
• Reinventing through execution. You’ll need data-driven innovation and robust vendor management, as well as a new way to measure performance and handle evolving leave policies. 

During these unprecedented times, turning to healthcare consulting to help deal with COVID-19 makes a lot of sense. After all, employers have a lot on their proverbial plate, and many aren’t quite sure how to deal with it all. A consultant such as Mercer can put you on the right track while freeing you to focus more on your business. The key is to move quickly to get in front of the situation.