Mercer and Accolade form alliance to set a new standard in consumer health experience

NEW YORK & SEATTLE--()--Mercer, a global consulting leader in advancing health, wealth and careers, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC), and Accolade, an on-demand healthcare concierge for employers, health plans and health systems, announced today the launch of Mercer Complete Care, powered by Accolade, a comprehensive, high-touch healthcare engagement and clinical management solution. The need for employers to offer their employees a trusted person to support them through the healthcare system is underscored by the fact that 80% percent of consumers say they would value this type of service yet only a little more than half (56%) of large employer programs include even a basic advocacy solution.

Mercer Complete Care unifies the clinical resources and expertise of both organizations, bringing together Accolade’s technology platform, support infrastructure and Accolade Health Assistants® with Mercer’s program design, implementation and clinical oversight. Consumers using Mercer Complete Care simply contact an Accolade Health Assistant via the phone, mobile application or online to address their questions and begin their relationship. The program is employer–sponsored, compatible with most insurance carrier(s) and will contain performance guarantees related to return on investment.

Accolade Health Assistants will serve as a single point of contact to help Mercer Complete Care members navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and access the providers and services available to them through their benefits. The Health Assistants work closely with a team of nurses, doctors, pharmacists, social workers and behavioral and other specialists who support members as they receive their care from their own providers. Accolade’s world-class open technology platform integrates with other technology and healthcare point solutions to drive market-leading utilization and engagement levels across the entire healthcare ecosystem.

By offering Mercer Complete Care, employers can help their workforce and dependents to:

  • Manage their physical and mental health conditions no matter their level of health risk
  • Understand their health benefits and make optimal provider choices
  • Consider their benefits, medical and life factors when making decisions
  • Navigate annual enrollment and new hire benefit selection
  • Tackle billing and claims appeals
  • Improve utilization of employer sponsored health programs and services

“We are very excited to combine healthcare engagement and clinical management into one comprehensive solution,” said Mercer’s Jim McNary, North America Region Business Leader for Health & Benefits. “We believe Mercer Complete Care is a truly unique advocacy and clinical management model for the complex and fast-moving health care environment that all of our clients, and their employees, find themselves in today.”

“We build trusting relationships with members unlike any other healthcare organization, and the results are smarter healthcare decisions and better health outcomes,” said Rajeev Singh, Accolade’s CEO. “Mercer is a trusted advisor to top employers all over the country and our alliance is a strong endorsement of our proven solution. We share the vision that consumer engagement is driven by a combination of compassion, science and technology and we’re thrilled to work together to make Mercer Complete Care an industry-leading solution.”

To learn more please visit www.mercer.us/our-thinking/mercer-complete-care-health-advocacy-tool.html

About Mercer

Mercer is a global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement and investments. Mercer helps clients around the world advance the health, wealth and careers of their most vital asset – their people. Mercer’s more than 20,000 employees are based in 43 countries and the firm operates in over 140 countries. Mercer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC), a global professional services firm offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and people. With annual revenue of $13 billion and 60,000 colleagues worldwide, Marsh & McLennan Companies is also the parent company of Marsh, a leader in insurance broking and risk management; Guy Carpenter, a leader in providing risk and reinsurance intermediary services; and Oliver Wyman, a leader in management consulting. For more information, visit www.mercer.com. Follow Mercer on Twitter @Mercer.

About Accolade

Accolade is an on-demand healthcare concierge for employers, health plans and health systems. Accolade’s team of compassionate, trusted professionals is supported by breakthrough science and technologies to guide people through the healthcare system in a deeply personalized manner. Accolade customers experience industry-leading engagement levels, satisfaction scores unseen in health care, better health outcomes, and cost savings of more than 10 percent. Accolade has been recognized as one of the nation’s 25 most promising companies by Forbes magazine, the fastest-growing private healthcare company by Inc. 500 and a Top Workplace for five consecutive years. For more information, visit www.accolade.com.

1Mercer National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, 2015. “Large Employer” equates to employers with 500 or more employees.

Contacts

Mercer
Bruce Lee, 212 345 0553
bruce.lee@mercer.com
or
Accolade
Lynn Shepherd, 610 613 7263
lynn.shepherd@accolade.com

Release Summary

Mercer and Accolade announce the launch of Mercer Complete Care, powered by Accolade, a comprehensive, high-touch healthcare engagement and clinical management solution.

Contacts

Mercer
Bruce Lee, 212 345 0553
bruce.lee@mercer.com
or
Accolade
Lynn Shepherd, 610 613 7263
lynn.shepherd@accolade.com