Impact Story: How Gift Cards Empower Health Screening Programs

Managed care organizations (MCOs) often face significant challenges in encouraging members to complete preventative health screenings. Ensuring compliance with critical screenings—such as breast cancer checks, hearing tests, and dental visits—not only improves patient outcomes but also directly impacts program success and HEDIS Star ratings. 

To address these challenges, one MCO partnered with GiftCard Partners to create a member-centric incentive program that leveraged the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform to drive engagement, streamline operations, and maintain program integrity. 

The Challenge: Driving Member Engagement While Maintaining Program Integrity 

This MCO served a population primarily composed of Medicare and Medicaid members and a Special Needs Population (SNP) with multiple chronic conditions. Many of these members were eligible to earn rewards for closing care gaps, such as completing screenings or wellness visits. However, the organization faced several key challenges: 

1. Low Member Participation: Despite outreach efforts, many members were hesitant to engage with preventative care programs. 
2. Program Integrity Concerns: The organization needed a solution that ensured incentives were used for their intended purpose, avoiding misuse for non-essential purchases like alcohol, tobacco, or firearms. 
3. Balancing Digital and Physical Options: Some members preferred digital gift cards for convenience, while others required physical cards due to limited access to technology. 
4. Operational Efficiency: Managing rewards distribution and tracking member engagement placed a heavy administrative burden on the team. 

The Solution: Tailored Gift Card Programs with the Engage2Reward Platform 

GiftCard Partners collaborated with the MCO to design a customized gift card solution that addressed these challenges while meeting the needs of its diverse member base. 

1. Filtered Gift Cards to Ensure Compliance: The program utilized Visa^® Reward Cards with filters that ensured incentives could only be spent on essential categories like groceries, healthcare items, and transportation. This approach eliminated the risk of misuse, aligning the program with the organization’s mission of promoting health and wellness.  
2. Flexible Delivery Options for Members: To accommodate member preferences, the program offered both digital and physical gift cards: 
   1. Digital Gift Cards: Delivered instantly via email or mobile apps, providing immediate access to rewards. 
   2. Physical Gift Cards: Tangible cards for members without reliable internet access, ensuring inclusivity.
      
3. Simplified Management with Engage2Reward: The Engage2Reward Platform enabled the organization to efficiently manage the entire gift card process. Through this platform, the team could: 
   1. Place bulk orders for both digital and physical gift cards. 
   2. Customize cards to include spending restrictions aligned with program goals. 
   3. Track and manage distributions, ensuring transparency and accountability. 

This streamlined platform reduced the administrative burden and allowed the MCO’s team to focus on engaging members and achieving their health goals.  

The Outcome: Engaged Members and Enhanced Program Success 

By implementing this tailored gift card program and leveraging the Engage2Reward Platform, the MCO achieved measurable improvements across several key areas: 

• Increased Participation: More members completed preventative care measures, closing critical care gaps. 
• Improved Member Experience: The flexible delivery options and easy-to-use redemption portal led to higher satisfaction rates, protecting the organization’s star ratings. 
• Operational Efficiency: The streamlined distribution process and the Engage2Reward Platform reduced the workload for staff, enabling the team to focus on other priorities. 
• Program Integrity Maintained: The restricted gift cards ensured that funds were used only for essential purposes, reinforcing the organization’s goals. 

Why Gift Cards Work for Healthcare Incentive Programs 

For healthcare organizations, gift cards paired with a robust ordering platform like Engage2Reward offer a unique combination of flexibility, control, and impact. They are: 

• Targeted: Ensuring incentives align with program goals by restricting non-essential purchases. 
• Inclusive: Providing options for both digital-savvy members and those who prefer traditional formats. 
• Efficient: Simplifying distribution and reducing administrative overhead with a user-friendly platform. 

Conclusion: Empowering Health Outcomes Through Thoughtful Incentives 

This story demonstrates how a well-designed gift card program and the Engage2Reward Platform can help managed care organizations overcome challenges in engaging members, ensuring compliance, and improving health outcomes. 

By leveraging the power of restricted gift cards and streamlined delivery options, the organization successfully enhanced its preventative care program, making a tangible impact on member health and satisfaction. 

Ready to Build Your Program? 

Learn how GiftCard Partners and the Engage2Reward Gift Card Ordering Platform can help your organization drive engagement and achieve your goals with tailored gift card solutions. Book a meeting with us to learn more about leveraging gift cards for your programs.