In today’s healthcare landscape, engaging members in their own health journeys is more critical than ever for health plan care management teams. Traditional approaches to member care often focus on clinical interventions, but true impact happens when members are empowered to make sustainable lifestyle changes. That’s where behavioral change programs come in — bridging the gap between knowledge and action to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.
Consider the following, especially in light of the continued aging of the American population:
- Chronic diseases cause 70% of U.S. deaths each year1
- 90% of our $4.5T in annual expenditures is for chronic and mental health conditions2
- Nearly three out of four Americans fail to take their medications as prescribed3
It’s obvious. The need for behavioral change programs is now. But what are they, and how do they work?
The science behind behavioral change
Behavioral science tells us that knowledge alone isn’t enough to drive change. People need personalized support, motivation, and reinforcement to make lasting improvements. Behavioral change programs leverage insights from psychology, behavioral economics, and data-driven engagement strategies to influence healthier behaviors in a way that feels natural and achievable. Health plan coaches and care managers are most effective at meeting these behavior change programs when they are seamlessly integrated into clinical workflows.
By addressing key factors such as motivation, social support, self-efficacy, and habit formation, these programs help members adopt and maintain healthier behaviors. Whether it’s managing a chronic condition, improving medication adherence, or making better lifestyle choices, behavioral change programs are essential in moving the needle on health outcomes. The most effective behavior change programs are readily available, integrated into clinical workflow, and scalable — helping health plans’ clinical teams become powerful change facilitators.
Why behavioral change programs matter
For healthcare organizations, payers, and employers, investing in behavioral change programs isn’t just about better health — it’s also about better health outcomes. Studies show that effective behavioral interventions can:
- Reduce hospitalizations and ER visits by helping members proactively manage their conditions.
- Increase medication adherence, leading to improved treatment effectiveness.
- Lower healthcare costs by preventing complications and reducing the burden on the healthcare system.
- Enhance member and employee engagement, leading to better satisfaction and long-term retention.
The future of health engagement
As healthcare continues to evolve, the need for scalable, effective behavioral change programs will only grow. Health plans that prioritize engagement and behavior-based interventions will be better positioned to improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and create a healthier, more empowered population.
WebMD Ignite helps drive meaningful change
At WebMD Ignite, we drive lasting behavioral change through technology, personalization, and human connection. Our digital health solutions, including WebMD Ignite Coach, seamlessly integrate into care management workflows to engage and empower members. With personalized messaging, behavior-based interventions, and omnichannel strategies, we help health plans deliver the right message at the right time—meeting members where they are to inspire action.
Are you ready to transform how you engage your members, patients, or employees? Discover how WebMD Ignite can help you drive meaningful behavioral change and achieve lasting health impact with your members. To learn more, download our ebook: Engaging the 65+ population in behavior change programs. A guide for health plans.
SOURCES
- An Empirical Study of Chronic Diseases in the United States: A Visual Analytics Approach to Public Health, National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5876976/
- Fast Facts: Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions, CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/costs/index.htm
- Medication Adherence: Helping Patients Take Their Medicines As Directed, National Library of Medicine,
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3234383/
