Mainebiz

A s most employers are aware, cov- ering the cost of their employees' healthcare is one of the largest line items on companies' balance sheets and a critical factor in workforce stability. As costs and expectations rise, employers and employees want a simpler, more integrated healthcare experience. Yet for many, navigat- ing healthcare still feels fragmented, time-consuming, and overwhelming – from finding the right care provider to understanding benefits and costs to scheduling appointments. As employers compete for talent and work to keep employees healthy and engaged, access to healthcare must better reflect how people live and work. Employers are also looking for solutions that lower the total cost of care while improving the overall experience. The future of healthcare is hybrid: combining digital tools, virtual support, and inperson care with great- er speed, precision, and connectivity. Our goal is to help our members in Maine spend less time managing care and more time focused on work and life, while helping lower their cost of healthcare and simplifying how people navigate the system. Why hybrid healthcare is a business imperative Today's healthcare system was large- ly designed around in-person visits, which no longer aligns with modern schedules or expectations. When nearly two-thirds of hourly workers receive schedules week to week, care requiring long wait times and limited appointments doesn't work for em- ployees or their employers. Hybrid healthcare addresses this gap by combining digital tools, virtual care, and in-person services into a simpler experience. This includes more integrated approaches across medical, pharmacy, and behavioral health. In Maine, where we have the oldest population in the U.S., and where a significant segment of our population lives in rural areas, this kind of coordi- nation is especially important. When care is connected, people are more likely to stay on top of prevention, better manage chronic conditions, and reduce avoidable downstream costs for employers. Using technology responsibly to simplify and personalize care The opportunity to improve the experi- ence is significant. A Harris Poll survey found that people spend eight hours a month coordinating care. That's time most people don't have. At Anthem, our focus is on making healthcare easier to navigate by using technology, including responsibly using artificial intelligence (AI) to help remove barriers, simplify decisions, save time, and support earlier, more personalized interventions. For people in Maine, we support this model in several ways: • A single digital front door: Through the Sydney Health member engage- ment platform, members can find in-network providers, check ben- efits, estimate costs, and schedule appointments in one place. • Personalized guidance: AI-enabled tools help surface relevant informa- tion and recommended next steps based on an individual's needs and strengthen decision-making with data-driven insights, while maintain- ing privacy and human oversight. • Proactive support: By combining data with outreach like app notifi- cations, text messages, or emails, we can engage people earlier with more personalized support for preventive services, medication reminders, or chronic condition resources. We're also investing in systems that allow health information to appropri- ately and securely move more easily across the care continuum. Connecting data gives providers better visibility into their patients' health, frees em- ployees from repeating information and tracking down answers, and re- duces administrative complexity. Why interoperability matters Hybrid care only works when informa- tion can follow the individual. Without that connectivity, hybrid care breaks down, creating fragmented experienc- es, delays in care, and unnecessary complexity for employees trying to navigate the system. Interoperability helps make those transitions seamless by creating a simpler experience, reducing repeat- ed questions, duplicative tests, and avoidable delays. When information moves more seamlessly, providers can make more informed decisions faster, enabling earlier intervention and better coordination across care settings. In 2024 alone, the U.S. health- care system avoided an estimated $258 billion in administrative costs through electronic transactions and improved data exchange. Through Health OS, our digital interoperability platform, we're connecting data from the various corners of healthcare to give care providers and consumers a more complete view of a person's health and healthcare, helping to create a more integrated healthcare experience. Raising expectations for the healthcare experience People expect healthcare to fit into their lives. Meeting that expectation requires a flexible approach that seam- lessly blends technology with in-person care. Smarter, more connected care approaches can improve the cost of care, simplify the healthcare experi- ence, and support a healthier, more productive, workforce, which will strengthen businesses in Maine. S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T Why Hybrid Healthcare Is a Business Imperative for Employers in Maine Learn more at anthem.com/healthcareinmaine By Denise McDonough, President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine

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