Solving Healthcare’s Engagement Problem: How First Stop Health Activates Employees

Low engagement is driving high costs — here’s how a virtual-first, people-centered model makes care stick

The Cost of Low Engagement 

When employees don’t engage with their care options, the consequences hit hard: 

• Higher claims costs from avoidable ER visits and unmanaged chronic conditions 

• Productivity losses from untreated mental and physical health issues 

• Lower ROI on your benefits investment 

Many plans offer access to care. But access is not the same as action — and action is what drives outcomes. 

Why Employees Tune Out 

Based on industry research and the 2025 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey, here’s why healthcare engagement continues to lag: 

• Care is inconvenient (time, scheduling, wait times) 

• Care is confusing (plan complexity, cost uncertainty) 

• Care feels impersonal (one-off, transactional experiences) 

• Care lacks continuity (no clear provider relationship or follow-up) 

Traditional telehealth and legacy networks simply weren’t designed to overcome these obstacles. 

First Stop Health: Built for Engagement, Not Just Access 

Here’s how First Stop Health activates your workforce — and keeps them engaged over time. 

No Barriers = Higher Utilization 

• 24/7 access to virtual urgent, primary, and mental health care 

• Same-day or next-day visits, no travel or time off required 

• $0 cost for members removes financial hesitation 

Result: Members are 6–8x more likely to use First Stop Health than traditional telehealth (based on First Stop Health client data) 

A Care Model That Feels Personal 

• Members connect with the same providers for longitudinal care 

• Friendly, empathetic clinicians create trust, not transactions 

• Proactive follow-ups drive adherence and behavior change 

Only 25% of Americans routinely schedule wellness checkups. With First Stop Health’s guidance and reminders, that number rises dramatically. 

Multichannel, Human-Led Outreach 

First Stop Health engages employees before they even get sick, using: 

• Email, text, and in-app messages 

• Benefit education campaigns 

• Real-time navigation and health coaching 

Employees with no primary care doctor are significantly less likely to engage in screenings or wellness visits. First Stop Health makes that first step seamless. 

Mental Health Engagement That Actually Works 

First Stop Health integrates behavioral health into the core care experience: 

• Virtual therapy 

• Integrated care plans between PCPs and therapists 

• Stigma-free access from the privacy of home 

This holistic model helps employees address stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression without extra steps, logins, or cost confusion. 

Why It Matters to Employers 

You’ve invested in benefits — but are your people using them? 

With First Stop Health, employers gain: 

• Higher engagement with preventive and mental health care 

• Healthier, more productive teams 

• Reduced total cost of care 

Better yet, First Stop Health provides real utilization reporting — so you know what’s working. 

If Employees Don’t Use It, It Doesn’t Work 

Healthcare engagement isn’t about reminders or glossy portals. It’s about removing the friction between need and action. First Stop Health delivers on that promise — and helps your people stay healthier, longer.