SchoolCare is addressing health equity for New Hampshire’s civil servants
Hinge Health extends MSK coverage for teachers, police, firefighters, and more
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Outcomes
SchoolCare is committed to the health of all members
Equity and access to care are top priorities
Health benefits provider for school, municipal, and county employees
A government entity headquartered in Manchester, NH
Provides health benefits to 100 public entities including schools, police, firefighters, and highway workers
Members are full-time, benefits-eligible government employees
Average age is 43, 56% female/44% male
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
Approximately 25,000 covered employees, spouses, and eligible dependents
Members live in a mix of rural and urban communities
SchoolCare is committed to the health of all members
Equity and access to care are top priorities
Health benefits provider for school, municipal, and county employees
A government entity headquartered in Manchester, NH
Provides health benefits to 100 public entities including schools, police, firefighters, and highway workers
Members are full-time, benefits-eligible government employees
Average age is 43, 56% female/44% male
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
Approximately 25,000 covered employees, spouses, and eligible dependents
Members live in a mix of rural and urban communities
Member testimonial
“I have been suffering for years now with chronic back pain that often interfered with my everyday life. This program has been the answer to my prayers for a healthier back. The exercise portion was fabulous. The exercises were explained well and in a time frame that was perfect. I could feel my back getting stronger as each week passed.”
–SchoolCare member and Hinge Health participant
About SchoolCare
SchoolCare brings quality health benefits to nearly 100 public entities in New Hampshire, including school, municipal, and county employees. SchoolCare self-funds its programs, paying member claims. As a result, the organization is always looking at cost drivers, continuously evaluating claims data, and considering how to enhance the member experience.
SchoolCare’s workforce and benefits challenges
Members cover a wide range of ages, from new teachers in their early 20s to established school administrators approaching 70. They have different preferences for receiving benefits information and obtaining medical care.
SchoolCare has been shifting to digital communications. It is also targeting member spouses via email and periodic household mailings. Some communication is still done in-person, such as health fairs, information tables at employer offices, or presentations during open enrollment.
SchoolCare first heard about Hinge Health as a way to reduce MSK claims costs through benefits consultants. The team compared Hinge Health with other alternatives based on levels of engagement, tools utilized, cost, return on investment, and value on investment. SchoolCare researched with carrier partner Cigna, what scope of coverage it could get and worked with benefits consultants to price a multi-year cost structure.
SchoolCare’s MSK benefits program implementation
SchoolCare rolled out Hinge Health in January 2022. The implementation was seamless. The program continues to be easy to manage and easy for members to enroll.
In the history of SchoolCare, there has never been as many positive, unsolicited emails from participants about a benefit before. The SchoolCare team regularly gets emails from members saying that Hinge Health has changed their life or that it’s really helped them.
In addition to reductions in pain and likelihood to pursue surgery, SchoolCare’s Hinge Health participants report:
46% decrease in depression
67% decrease in anxiety
For SchoolCare members, in-person physical, occupational, and speech therapy visits are capped at 60 appointments across all three categories. As a result, Hinge Health is a way for members to expand their coverage, if their in-person therapy benefit is running out.
Since Hinge Health is provided at no cost, members can use it regardless of their socioeconomic situation. The virtual nature of the program means that members have access no matter where they live in New Hampshire. To deliver on its commitment to health equity, SchoolCare also decided to offer members Hinge Health’s women’s pelvic health program.