With health care costs projected to increase by nearly 8% in 2025, according to Business Group on Health, employers and health plans are seeking solutions that not only support member well-being but also reduce unnecessary spending on health care. apree health’s Care Guides fulfill this need by providing comprehensive, personalized support that extends beyond traditional health care settings (and offerings).
Our recent study, Evaluating the Impact of Care Guides on Health Care Costs and Avoidable ED Visits, demonstrates the positive impact Care Guides have on reducing costs and improving health outcomes. Here’s how Care Guides work and the measurable benefits they offer.
What are apree health Care Guides?
apree health Care Guides often work with people with clinically- and socially-complex needs. They work to discover the member’s care plan, the member’s priorities, and help them achieve their goals, increase their confidence in their ability to achieve these goals, and coordinate many aspects of their care. This involves aspects of case management, disease management, care coordination and is predicated on a longitudinal, trusting relationship – they aren’t stepping in at the last hour to assist with an escalation, they are their from the start for all preventative and whole-person needs. From helping members schedule appointments to addressing complex health questions, Care Guides provide seamless, accessible support.
Think of Care Guides as exceptional concierge support and service for your members. For employers and health plans, Care Guides offer a strategic investment that enhances member experiences, improves health care efficiency, and lowers overall costs. They can help with things like:
- Increasing member awareness of coverage and eligibility
- Proactive program enrollment and engagement
- Support on negotiating an out-of-pocked payment
- Guide to high value providers and services
- Communication link between care team
- Condition-specific education
- …and so much more.
The Results: Lower Costs and Fewer Emergency Visits
Our study analyzed 10,333 Care Guide users across 20 clients in 2023, including direct employer clients and groups served through health plans. Here’s what we found:
- Lower Monthly health care Costs: Members who used Care Guides experienced an average reduction of $33.83 in monthly health care spending in the six months following their initial Care Guide interaction. This savings highlights the role Care Guides play in helping members make informed, cost-effective health care decisions.
- Reduced Avoidable ED Visits: Care Guides were linked to a 55.67% decrease in avoidable emergency department (ED) visits each month compared to baseline numbers. By guiding members to appropriate care resources, Care Guides reduce unnecessary ED visits and empower members to manage their health proactively.
“Members who used Care Guides experienced an average reduction of $33.83 in monthly health care spending in the six months following their initial Care Guide interaction.”
“Care Guides were linked to a 55.67% decrease in avoidable emergency department visits each month compared to baseline numbers.”
apree health’s Clinical Advocacy Model: A Whole-Person Approach
At apree health, we recognize that health is influenced by a variety of factors beyond medical care alone. That’s why our Clinical Advocacy Model adopts a whole-person and personalized approach, considering social, environmental, and emotional aspects of health. Care Guides coordinate each member’s care journey, connecting them with an integrated team that supports them inside and outside medical settings.
As the “quarterback” of each member’s health care journey, Care Guides close gaps in care specific to the person, simplify access by making appointments or putting the information right at the member’s finger tips, and make health care a frictionless experience. This model benefits both employers and health plans by reducing emergency visits, closing gaps in care, and ultimately driving down health care costs.
Why Employers and Health Plans Should Invest in Care Guides
For employers and health plans facing rising health care costs, apree health’s Care Guides offer a scalable, practical solution. The 2023 study confirms that Care Guides not only improve health outcomes but also deliver measurable financial value, making them a wise investment in member well-being.
If you’re an employer or health plan leader aiming to enhance member health outcomes while managing costs, apree health’s Care Guides are an ideal solution. By investing in Clinical Advocacy, employers and health plans provide members with the guidance, resources, and support they need for lasting, positive health outcomes. Contact us today to learn how apree health’s Care Guides can benefit your organization.
Check out a case study on The Power of Care Guides.
Source: Business Group on Health’s 2025 Health Care Strategy Survey
