Save and earn rewards with SmartShopper

For your employees, it’s as easy as 1, 2,3!
1. Shop

When the doctor recommends a routine medical procedure, the employee calls the SmartShopper Care Concierge Team or shops online.

2. Select Location

Employee has procedure at the reward-eligible location of their choice.

3. Earn Rewards

Once the procedure is complete and the claim is paid, a reward check is mailed to the employee's home.

Price Transparency and Savings Are Here

You’ve probably heard it from your employees: health care is expensive. Despite work to lower the cost of health care, it remains an expense that many employees worry about. The average deductible amount has increased 10% over the last five years and 53% over the last 10 years, with employees footing an ever-growing share of the out-of-pocket costs.[1]

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) deeply understands this issue and is working to implement tools to make health care more affordable for our employer groups and their employees. That’s why we’ve started using the SmartShopper Program. 

What Is SmartShopper?

SmartShopper is an incentive and engagement program that can save money on health care expenses every time an employee uses reward-eligible, lower-cost care for procedures included in the program. SmartShopper is an online platform that allows your employees to compare in-network medical providers based on cost and quality. The program helps ensure that employees can access affordable care without sacrificing quality. When your employees, or their covered dependents, use an eligible lower-cost health care provider, a reward check will be sent, and the employer saves on medical costs. The program provides employees with the resources needed to shop for their care and make informed decisions. 

Significant Savings

Through the program’s education, resources and access to lower-cost health care providers, BCBSKS is seeing significant savings on health care costs for groups that use SmartShopper. Currently, just under 300,000 members in the Kansas counties BCBSKS serves are eligible for this program. For 2024, our year-to-date program savings through 3Q are $453,199. The top three procedures members have saved money on are colonoscopies, knee replacement surgery, and cataract removal. Total savings from top procedures include:

Colonoscopy: $80,564 

• Knee replacement: $79,793
• Cataract removal: $34,886
• Hysterectomy: $34,418
• MRI: $27,937

In addition to the savings, 97% of members are satisfied with SmartShopper. Of those members using the Care Concierge Team, there is a 70% scheduling rate. That means, employees are getting the care they need, becoming more educated about their health insurance, and feeling fulfilled in their experience. For employers - that means savings on claims and working to retain healthier employees. 

"Amid the rising costs of health care, BCBSKS remains steadfast in its commitment to affordability,” says Amanda Harris, manager product development and sales systems for BCBSKS. “Through SmartShopper, our members can compare costs among in-network providers, empowering them to make cost-effective choices. By selecting a lower-cost provider, members not only reduce their overall health care expenses but also become eligible for an incentive." 

Educating While Saving On Out-of-Pocket Costs

SmartShopper not only helps employees better understand how their health insurance works, it gives them the opportunity to look for the lowest cost option and put them in control of their own health care choices. If they need more support, employees can connect with the SmartShopper Care Concierge Team who will help them find an in-network health care provider who can perform their procedure at the lowest cost. 

When an employee uses SmartShopper to select a cost-effective provider, they’re then eligible for cash rewards ranging from $20 to $425. These rewards incentivize employees to choose high-value health care options and lower out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, employees can search online or use the concierge service for assistance with recommendations tailored to their medical needs and location.

For employers, BCBSKS and SmartShopper help to educate your employees about the benefits of the SmartShopper program. For employers looking to further promote the tool to their employees, a comprehensive toolkit is available including pre-drafted flyers and newsletters. The toolkit includes educational resources to inform employees about the benefits of using SmartShopper, from potential savings to reward opportunities. This engagement and awareness not only support employee health but also contributes to company-wide savings on health care costs.

Proven Results

The program has received positive feedback for its customer satisfaction rates and ease of use, making it a promising solution for businesses looking to manage and reduce health care costs effectively while ensuring employees access quality care. The data speaks for itself. 

Better value

$855 - BCBSKS average claim savings per incentive paid

2024 SmartShopper Performance and Savings Report

Ready To Save?

Learn more by contacting your local BCBSKS representative.