By 2019, 80 percent of all Internet traffic will be devoted to video.
Adweek has proclaimed online video the “future of content
marketing.” Although many health care marketers are already onboard with
this powerful marketing trend, others are still hesitating—and missing out
on opportunities to reach prospects and engage members.
We’ve identified seven areas where health insurers can benefit from use of
video content in their marketing strategies:
1. Highlight products and benefits
Health care marketers should use video to educate members and prospects
about detailed products, unique benefits and essential services. To show
how insurers’ plans are a good fit for members and prospects, video can
offer website tours, promote mobile apps and highlight member discounts and
perks. In addition, video can help explain—and simplify—more complex
features like medical savings accounts.
For example, when Uber and UPMC teamed up during open enrollment for a
promotion to raise awareness about distracted driving, they offered free
rides for members. The health insurer used video to announce the promotion
and explain how to take advantage of the perk:
2. Improve consumers’ health literacy
Many common insurance terms are difficult to understand. For those not
familiar with industry jargon, these phrases can sound like a foreign
language. Since video makes educational material easier to digest, it’s a
great way to explain subsidies and EOB statements, demonstrate how an HSA
works or walk a member through Medicare 101.
In this video series, for example, Highmark teaches consumers about the
basics—or ABCs—of Medicare:
3. Address health care challenges
There is no shortage of health care challenges facing consumers today. From
costs and access to care to health crises and epidemics, members are
turning to insurers for answers and support. Because some content may be
sensitive in nature, video offers an approachable way to respond, while
communicating key brand positioning and messaging on topics that really
matter to members and communities.
Here, Aetna President Karen S. Lynch uses video to discuss the country’s
opioid epidemic. In doing so, she is able to highlight Aetna’s behavioral
health business and talk about substance abuse care as a top priority for
Aetna:
[FREE DOWNLOAD: How to manage online patient feedback and brand reputation]
4. Promote wellness
Health and wellness programs play an integral role in members’ physical,
mental and emotional well-being, but getting them engaged and keeping them
motivated in such programs can be difficult. Video makes it easy to share
healthy eating and fitness tips, cooking instructions and training
schedules. It’s a compelling tool for communicating key messages,
advocating for adoption of healthy habits, teaching best practices and
inviting members to participate in wellness programs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota’s wellness program is marketed as a
more holistic approach to pursuing all dimensions of health and well-being.
This video shows the inspiration behind the insurer’s BlueElements wellness
program:
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5. Provide assistance
There can be a learning curve as members become familiar with new health
plans. When assisting them, it’s important to offer explanations that are
easy to access and to understand. Video is an effective way to answer the
questions your members might have about how to enroll for services or how
to use an insurer’s app. As a “show and tell” technique, video saves time
and resources for insurers and can be an easier way for members to get up
to speed.
In this short video, Cigna offer “tips and tricks” on how to get the most
out of its myCigna mobile app. Simple animation and voiceover break down
the basics (like how to download the app and use the fingerprint login) and
describe the app’s key benefits of helping members compare costs, track
claims and find doctors right from their fingertip:
6. Offer health education
Consumers who are informed about their health have better health outcomes,
so it makes sense for a health insurer to provide members with valuable
health-related advice. Studies show that health education videos keep
members more engaged and active in their care. Videos featuring providers
and other health experts are valuable resources for members looking for
condition-specific tips, explanations about procedures and reasons to
complete health screenings.
“My left arm went numb, and soon after that my right arm went numb,” begins
Chris Torizzo, a Kaiser Permanente member and employee, in this video
designed to help women recognize heart attack symptoms. It combines Chris’
story with expert commentary from a cardiologist:
7. Amplify your brand
In addition to its consumer benefits, video content also has value from a
brand perspective. It can be used to promote events, showcase brand
ambassadors, highlight a facility or location and spotlight employees and
goals.
It can also be used as a recruitment tool, as with Oscar’s “Ready to join
the revolution?” video. In it, Oscar promotes the perks of working for the
health insurer and directs candidates to its recruitment website:
David Schultz
is president and founder of
Media Logic. The original version of this post can be found
here.
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