Health Benefit Utilization

The goal of this project is to increase the understanding and utilization of University of Iowa health insurance benefits by new employees, especially those who are lower-wage earners and/or for whom English is not their primary language. We will build upon existing clinical and human resources infrastructure to pilot a program that eventually leads to a sustainable institutional process that supports the health and well-being of University employees.

The target population will include lower-wage employees in the UI Environmental Services (EVS) Department hired within the past 5 years, many of whom are from immigrant populations for whom English is not their primary language.

Aim 1: Assess self-reported use and knowledge of the healthcare system and the UI healthcare environment (including UI healthcare benefits) through surveys of new and recently onboarded UI EVS employees.

Aim 2: Develop a peer coaching intervention to: a) improve EVS employees’ understanding of the healthcare system and the UI healthcare environment (including UI healthcare benefits) for EVS employees, including those with an immigrant family background and those with limited English usage, and b) facilitate the establishment and attendance of at least one appropriately indicated healthcare appointment for each participant.

Aim 3: Evaluate the peer coaching intervention from institutional, employee, and peer coach perspectives to assess acceptability, feasibility, sustainment, and scalability.