Bringing centers of excellence to union members

Around 10% of wage and salary workers in the United States—or about 16 million people—are represented by a union. That’s no small number, especially when you consider that there are over 60 different unions in the country covering everything from education to warehousing to government jobs.

As many of us know, unions aim to leverage community and a common goal to improve working conditions for all, be it how much members are paid, the benefits they receive, or protections and safety measures around on-the-job risks. Unions also give workers a voice and space to air frustrations and advocate for better representation within their organizations.

Because unions care deeply about achieving a higher quality of life for their members, they might find centers of excellence (COE) programs to be an ideal benefits solution. In fact, COE programs can act as a win-win for labor and management alike.

Below, we’ll explain how COE programs work and the major perks they can provide union members.

5 reasons unions should have a centers of excellence solution for their members

Member well-being is at the center of every union’s mission.

Unfortunately, guaranteeing this is only getting harder and more expensive: Just two years ago, it was reported that healthcare spend had increased 7.5% to $4.9 trillion in total—certainly not chump change (for context, in the year 2000 it was about $1.4 trillion).

Centers of excellence programs can combat this issue (and more) by prioritizing high-quality care that leads to better health outcomes—while also increasing cost savings. And when unions get behind healthcare solutions like centers of excellence networks, they change the landscape for the better: Research shows that union members pay lower premiums and pay less out-of-pocket for care than non-union workers do.

It’s important to note, of course, that not every COE program is created equally—you’re bound to encounter both best-in-class options and subpar ones. When choosing a centers of excellence partner, make sure they’re able to accurately forecast spend, equipped to negotiate and cut down costs, and backed by unparalleled service that puts patient comfort, safety, and health outcomes first.

With that, let’s dive into the ways top-notch centers of excellence programs can support unions and their members’ health:

1. Boost member satisfaction and trust in the union

When union members are happy and healthy (due, in part, to good healthcare coverage), they’re also more invested in and trusting of their union. Centers of excellence programs can help ensure this level of satisfaction by providing specialty care that’s not just high quality but also curated to each member’s needs. In other words, members feel valued, listened to, and well cared for.

A personalized care experience also makes the overall healthcare journey smoother and more transparent.

Think about it: When you don’t have to wait on hold for hours with a provider or decipher a complex healthcare bill, you’re likely to be less stressed. You’ll face better health and life outcomes, too, knowing that the care you receive is actually targeting your concerns and factoring in your specific circumstances.

All of this leads to content members—and thus, more powerful unions.

2. Help unions uphold fiduciary responsibilities

Union dues can be a burden for many members, so unions know that it’s in everyone’s best interest to spend their healthcare budget as wisely and conservatively as possible. Part of this is ensuring they get their members the best prices for care as possible.

Best-in-class centers of excellence programs don’t take costs lightly. They use rigorous data and research to select only the highest-performing providers, meaning you’ll face fewer complications, produce less waste, and achieve better health outcomes, which is beneficial both in the short term and the long term. They are also transparent about where money is headed, so union reps and members can rest easy that their dollars are in good hands and make more informed care decisions.

In addition, a value-based COE solution like Carrum Health pre-negotiates lower prices with providers, ensuring members can get the highest quality care at the best cost and won’t receive any astronomical or surprise bills.

In short, centers of excellence programs help unions demonstrate responsible stewardship by offering solutions that prioritize both quality and value.

3. Deliver higher quality care and better health outcomes

Many union jobs can be physically, mentally, and/or emotionally demanding. When a member faces an on-the-job injury, needs surgery, or requires support in other areas, it’s critical that they receive immediate, high-quality care so they can recover and return to work as soon as possible.

Best-in-class COE programs’ evidence-based care significantly lowers rates of complications and readmissions, ultimately accelerating recovery and improving the experience for members: An independent 2021 study conducted by the RAND Corporation, for example, found that Carrum’s COE program reduces readmissions by between 74% to 86% relative to the national average.

With a centers of excellence solution in place, unions can sustain an active, optimistic, and vibrant workforce.

4. Provide comprehensive white-glove concierge support

Navigating the intricacies of healthcare can be confusing, overwhelming, and unintuitive for many people. Pile on a serious health issue, and union members might feel even more anxious or helpless trying to get the care they need.

A good centers of excellence program doesn’t just make the process more transparent—it also takes out a lot of the headache by providing individuals with a team dedicated to helping them overcome their biggest healthcare hurdles with empathy and patience. Ideally, these teams are also highly specialized to assist with unique situations.

Carrum’s Cancer Care program, for example, comes with dedicated support from an oncology-trained nurse. And our Substance Use program has a clinical care team consisting of licensed clinicians and certified alcohol and drug counselors.

This kind of white-glove service enables union members to feel supported and adhere to their care recommendations with ease—further contributing to positive health and well-being.

5. Lower and more predictable costs for both the union and members

With healthcare spend rising, many unions are feeling the strain on their health and welfare funds. As mentioned above, a value-based COE program pre-negotiates lower prices with healthcare partners, and those prices are visible to members and provided upfront, leaving no question as to the payer’s expense. This kind of predictability and focus on savings benefits everyone by lowering overall costs and saving patients time having to do the negotiating and research themselves.

Take Carrum as an example: The same RAND study as above reveals that patients who previously paid anywhere from $998 to $2,387 for surgery paid nothing under Carrum’s plan. In addition, employers experienced savings of 45% per episode (for care that went through Carrum).

Bottom line: Adding a centers of excellence program to your unions’ benefits offerings can result in better health outcomes and increased cost savings for both the union and its members—it’s a win for everyone involved. Learn more about how to partner with Carrum Health.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.