MERCER HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTING
Employees felt better about their health care options once they understood what they were.

Mercer Human Resource Consulting is a global corporation that helps clients develop and implement human resource programs and policies. The company has special expertise in all areas of human resource consulting, including employee benefits strategy.

The Challenge
Mercer Human Resource Consulting enlisted the services of Arnold & Langrand to help introduce a new, consumer-driven health care plan to 25,000 benefits-eligible staff members of Houston's largest employer. The consumer health plan was available at a lower monthly premium but required strong participant awareness of varying health care costs.

Our Strategy
Arnold & Langrand created and implemented a comprehensive internal communications strategy aimed at introducing the new consumer health care plan to employees, disseminating information to help them become comfortable with the new option and providing educational materials to help employees choose the most appropriate and cost-effective plan for their health care needs. Communications materials also incorporated long-term messaging aimed at helping employees make better health care decisions and encouraging participation in prevention-oriented health and wellness programs.

The Results
Typically, less than 20 percent of eligible employees enroll in the consumer plan option upon its introduction. However, Arnold & Langrand helped Mercer successfully enroll more than 37 percent of eligible employees in the consumer health plan in the first year alone - a tremendous accomplishment. The following year, enrollment increased; nearly 45 percent of eligible employees selected the consumer option, which operates at costs that are 30 percent lower than those of the traditional HMO plan.