May is Women’s Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique health challenges faced by women. As we end the month, this is a good time to look at the accumulating evidence that shows significant disparities in the nation’s approach to women’s health. According to one recent report, “when compared with women in other high-income countries, American women have historically faced greater challenges in accessing the health care they need.”
Hospital systems, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and even individual physicians all have a role to play in undoing biases and improving women’s health. But so do health plans. In fact, with their orientation toward member needs and their proximity to members, in some ways plans are uniquely positioned to create health-promoting programs tailored toward women.
In 2024, SCAN, the diversified health organization whose Medicare Advantage programs I lead, launched Inspired, the first Medicare Advantage plan for women. How we ended up creating Inspired says a lot about the state of women’s healthcare. The plan was not part of a top-down plan to address disparities. It was the brainchild of several women who work for SCAN. They were discussing their frustrations with the healthcare system, agreed that offerings for women were limited, and started designing a plan that they would want to enroll in.
In addition to benefits offered to all of our customers, Inspired members receive: an over-the-counter allowance to spend on products specifically selected for women’s health and wellness; fitness benefits including access to a premium network of studios and gyms; mental health support with $0 virtual visits; weight management reimbursement; access to curated health and wellness events; and, perhaps most significantly, access to a Women’s Health Coach who helps set a personalized path to wellness.
Of all the benefits the Inspired plan offers, the most valuable, according to our members, is access to a coach. In discussions with Inspired members, we’ve learned that women’s health concerns are routinely dismissed. This sentiment is borne out by research. According to one study, women who went to emergency departments with severe stomach pain waited 33% longer for treatment than men exhibiting the same symptoms.
But when presented with a person who is specifically trained not to show bias, we’ve found that members have an easier time navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, accessing care, and taking advantage of non-clinical programs to improve their well-being.
Inspired hasn’t been around long enough for us to have a robust data study around its efficacy. But we do have qualitative data and member testimonies that affirm our approach.
For example, Ms. K is a 68-year-old divorcee who lives by herself. When she enrolled in Inspired, she was suffering from heart palpitations, shoulder pain, and sciatica. Due to the pain, she stopped exercising. Depression set in; she stopped cleaning her home and even became too embarrassed by its cluttered state to invite anyone over.
Ms. K’s health coach connected her with physicians who diagnosed her with atrial fibrillation and set up medication deliveries, so she wouldn’t have to worry about filling prescriptions. She connected her with a therapist and helped her enroll in fitness classes and physical therapy for her shoulder.
Six months later, Ms. K was socializing again, planning vacations and, with the help of how-to videos on YouTube, decluttering and organizing her home.
Another member’s story might shed even more light on the value of the Inspired approach. And this one is about a man. (Though Inspired was created for women and marketed to women, a few men have signed up for it. Under CMS rules, this is not prohibited, and nor should it be—people are always looking for plans that best serve their needs.)
Mr. J is a 74-year-old workaholic. When he enrolled in Inspired, he was overweight, had diabetes and chronic bronchitis, and rarely slept through the night.
Mr. J and his health coach focused on wellness. They devised a new diet, an exercise regimen, and a sleep schedule. The coach even enlisted Mr. K’s girlfriend to provide him with reminders and encouragement.
Less than a year later, Mr. J has reduced his A1Cs, walks 7,000 steps every day and sleeps regular hours every night.
What we’ve learned from individuals like Mr. J is that benefits designed to enhance women’s health can uplift everyone’s well-being. As we conclude Women’s Health Month, let’s take a moment to reflect on the fact that, for decades, women’s health needs were often overlooked. But by addressing these needs, we can not only promote better health for women but also discover universal solutions that benefit us all.
