Learn how an advocacy program helps employers address social determinants of health, reduce healthcare costs, and improve employee well-being.
Key Highlights
When most people think about health, typically genetics, lifestyle risks, or medical care come to mind first. But for many employees, everyday factors—like where they live, where they can get care and food, and how secure they feel at work—play an even bigger role. These non-medical influences, known as social determinants of health (SDOH), include factors like education, housing, income, and access to nutritious foods.
According to Healthy People 2030 from the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), factors like job security, fair pay, and manageable stress levels don’t just affect morale—they can impact the risk of depression, injury, and chronic illness in employees. In fact, research shows that SDOH account for up to 55% of health outcomes—compared to clinical care, which impacts around 20% of outcomes.
Employers Are in a Great Position to Boost Health Equity
As a broker or employer, you have the power to shape more than just health plans—you can influence the everyday factors that impact employee well-being. While most large organizations offer wellness initiatives, far fewer have assessed the specific SDOH affecting their workforce.
Addressing these factors doesn’t require sweeping changes. Brokers and benefits managers who are addressing SDOH typically begin by analyzing claims data or health risk assessments to identify social risk indicators. From there, they translate insights into targeted programs that support a more equitable and productive workplace, such as:
These benefits have been shown to reduce stress, improve attendance, lower unnecessary medical costs, and support working households. It’s no surprise that 59% of employers report that they plan to expand their efforts in addressing SDOH, even amid economic challenges.
But for many companies, the upfront costs and administrative burden of managing multiple point solutions can feel out of reach. And with geographically diverse workforces, it’s often difficult to ensure that specific initiatives reach the populations who need them most.
Advocacy Bridges the Gap in Addressing Social Determinants of Health
While no single benefit program can solve the complex challenges of SDOH, advocacy services are a proven way to help employees overcome real barriers to care, especially in diverse populations.
The reality is most employees receive a comprehensive benefits guide once a year during open enrollment and—due to the demands on everyone’s time—minimal guidance. They’re expected to navigate complex systems with a lack of support, often unclear about what’s covered, how to use their benefits, or even where to begin. It’s no surprise that many delay or avoid care altogether. In fact, research shows that U.S. adults spend the equivalent of one full workday per month trying to coordinate care for themselves and their families.
And no matter how many solutions an employer offers—whether it’s wellness programs, telehealth, or targeted SDOH initiatives—they’re only effective if employees know about them and understand how to use them. Without a guided approach, even the most generous benefits can go underutilized.
That’s where a well-designed advocacy program makes a difference. Think of advocacy as a central hub: a single, trusted resource where employees can ask questions, get clear answers, and receive personalized guidance about all the benefits programs available to them. Whether it’s understanding available resources, finding in-network providers, or navigating complex procedures, an advocacy program helps employees access the care they need—when they need it—without wasting time or money.
Advocates Are the Key to Action in Advocacy
HealthCheck360’s advocacy program is designed to do more than answer questions—it’s built to provide one-one-one guidance to employees that ultimately improves their health outcomes. Our advocates play a critical role in bridging the gap between employees and the resources available to them, especially for those who may be unsure where to start or unfamiliar with how to navigate the healthcare system.
Benefits Education
One often overlooked aspect of SDOH is education—specifically benefits literacy. Many employees simply don’t understand what their health plan covers, how to compare options, or how to take advantage of employer-sponsored programs. During open enrollment and throughout the year, HealthCheck360’s advocates help employees make sense of their options, whether it’s choosing the right healthcare plan for their family’s needs, understanding the difference between copays and deductibles, or learning how to use financial resources like a health savings account to save for future expenses.
Connecting Employees to Care
During a call with a member, an advocate can provide education on navigating the complex healthcare system. For example, an advocate can explain why visiting an urgent care clinic for acute cold or flu symptoms is less expensive than going to a hospital emergency room. And for any follow-up care needed, an advocate can help the member find a primary care provider in their area that speaks their preferred language.
Health Coaching That Supports Lifestyle Change
HealthCheck360’s advocacy model includes integrated health coaching—a powerful layer of support that goes beyond navigation. For example, in situations where access to nutritious foods is limited, health coaches can help employees plan healthy meals and snack options with the resources available to them.
From pre-diabetes and pre-hypertension to weight loss and nicotine cessation, health coaching can directly address SDOH and improve employee health and well-being long term.
Engagement: The Missing Link in Advocacy’s Impact
Even the best-designed advocacy program won’t make an impact if employees don’t use it. That’s why engagement is critical—and why incentives matter.
To truly address healthcare challenges, employees need to be actively engaged with the program and see a clear, compelling benefit. Traditional approaches to communication and engagement, like benefits guide flyers and training sessions, often fall flat because they don’t connect employees to what matters most—real savings and real support.
That’s where incentives come in. With HealthCheck360’s advocacy model with shared savings, employees receive a percentage of the cost savings when they choose cost-effective providers. This direct financial benefit drives participation: engagement rates are three to four times higher than traditional programs, and employers see measurable improvements in both costs and satisfaction.
When implemented effectively, this model creates a transformative healthcare delivery framework. Organizations report:
For employees who may be hesitant to seek care or unsure where to start, the combination of knowledgeable, friendly advocate support and financial incentives can be the nudge they need to take action. For employers, it means a benefits program that doesn’t just look good on paper but delivers real results.
In short, advocacy is a big piece of the benefits puzzle and incentivized engagement is what brings the whole picture to life.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Supporting employees, especially those facing social barriers, requires more than just offering standard benefits. It takes a thoughtful strategy, the right tools, and a partner who understands the complexities of today’s workforce.
HealthCheck360’s advocacy services are designed to meet employees where they are, integrating seamlessly into your existing benefits strategy and driving real results. Whether you’re looking to boost engagement, control costs, or better support a diverse workforce, we can help you build an advocacy model that works.
Let’s talk about how we can help you turn challenges into meaningful change.