Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan Increase Caregiver Support for Members

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan have partnered with a digital care concierge service to provide commercial members with personalized caregiver support.

The two health plans announced their merger plans in 2019 and ultimately combined to form Point32Health.

Fully insured commercial members of the Point32Health companies will gain access to Wellthy’s digital tools, which aim to help members manage their caregiving responsibilities while improving their own well-being.

“By providing Wellthy to our health plan members, we will be able to help them alleviate the taxing elements of caregiving to keep them present and active in the workforce, and improve their overall health and well-being,” Peter Bell, director of commercial strategy and innovation at Point32Health, said in the press release. “Wellthy’s distinct care model addresses meaningful gaps in today’s caregiver resources and provides more immediate benefits to our employer clients and members.”

Point32Health will also offer the caregiving services to their employees as a new well-being benefit starting in 2023.

Employees and commercial members will have access to a care dashboard that contains planning information and other resources. Care coordinators and care advisers will connect with families to help them manage the administrative and logistical tasks of caring for their loved ones and maintaining their own health.

According to the press release, the partnership will help provide caregivers with support and resources across various areas, including medical, financial, housing, in-home, legal, and social or emotional considerations.

In addition, caregivers can access a peer network moderated by experts where they can share and connect with people facing similar challenges.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan members will be able to use the digital concierge service starting January 1, 2023. Members can use the services to help care for themselves or a loved one, regardless of whether or not the person they are caring for is on their current health plan.

“With an aging population that is living longer and has more complicated care needs, tens of millions of Americans are being thrust into caregiving roles. This caregiving crisis is taking a huge toll on people’s well-being, finances, and careers,” said Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, chief executive officer and co-founder of Wellthy. “Offering caregivers the right support is critical to helping them reduce stress, save money, and stay engaged in their work.”

Research has found that the average caregiver spends 45 hours per week on unpaid care in addition to their full-time job. Caregiver responsibilities have pushed a third of all US workers to leave their job. Further, 40 percent of caregivers reported feeling isolated and unsupported, while 60 percent reported sacrificing their own ambitions and well-being to care for a loved one.

Despite being frequently overlooked, unpaid caregivers are an essential part of the healthcare ecosystem, providing 90 percent of long-term care in the US.

The payers said they hope to expand access to the caregiving services to all health plan members in the future.

The COVID-19 pandemic helped highlight the role of caregivers and the importance of prioritizing their mental health.

In response to the heightened stress women and caregivers experienced during the pandemic, Aetna implemented several initiatives. Aetna launched Here 4 U Sessions, a digital space for women to speak openly about their emotions and stress. Additionally, the payer provides members access to free 24/7 emotional support, daily life assistance, and meetings with licensed clinical social workers.

Caregiver benefits are also becoming more prevalent in Medicare Advantage, with the number of plans offering caregiver support services almost tripling from 2021 to 2023.