Balancing Benefits with Goals, with Heather Larson

Heather Larson, an SVP at Lockton, talks about her journey into the healthcare and employer-sponsored healthcare field. She shares her experience starting from scooping ice cream at TCBY to working in benefits and healthcare. Heather and Sasha discuss the disparities in healthcare experiences based on job types and industries, highlighting the importance of benefits in various sectors. Heather explains how the healthcare industry has evolved over the years, mentioning the significant increase in costs, the shift towards high deductible health plans, and the impact of rising drug prices. They explore the need for technology to revolutionize healthcare, improve patient engagement, and provide personalized health recommendations similar to how retailers offer personalized services. The conversation delves into the challenges of harmonizing diverse philosophies around benefits within organizations and the importance of aligning benefits with business objectives. Heather shares success stories from implementing various benefits programs, such as fertility support, caregiver support, financial wellness initiatives, and digital musculoskeletal care in manufacturing sectors, showcasing the positive impacts on employee retention and health outcomes. They touch on the need for better communication and engagement strategies regarding employees' benefits, citing low engagement with traditional benefit guides and the importance of measuring and optimizing employee education and engagement. Heather emphasizes the value of data-driven approaches to improving benefits communication and the need for innovative solutions like one-pagers and targeted interventions to enhance employee understanding and utilization of benefits.