--- title: 4 Impactful Strategies for Reducing Hospital Readmissions Among Employees description: Discover the most impactful strategies for reducing hospital readmissions, including addressing SDOH, implementing price transparency solutions, and more. image: https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/Blog/AdobeStock_271209758-2.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/4-impactful-strategies-for-reducing-hospital-readmissions-among-employees#page-content) [![Valenz Health](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/web/logo.svg)](https://www.valenzhealth.com/) - [Who We Serve](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/) - [Solutions](https://www.valenzhealth.com/solutions/member-experience/) - [About Us](https://www.valenzhealth.com/about-us/) - [Resources](https://www.valenzhealth.com/resources/) - [Contact](https://www.valenzhealth.com/contact/) ### [Patients](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/members/) ### Payers - [Employers](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/employers/) - [Taft-Hartley Funds](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/taft-hartley-funds/) ### Providers - [Healthcare Facilities and Providers](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/healthcare-facilities-and-providers/) ### Plans - [Health Plans](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/health-plans/) - [Third-Party Administrators](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/third-party-administrators-tpas/) - [Brokers and Consultants](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/brokers/) - [Stop Loss Producers](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/stop-loss-producers/) #### Partner with Us Discover how Vālenz Health® can simplify the healthcare experience with our innovative solutions. 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Readmissions impact several areas, including care quality, a patient’s quality of life, and the financial health of the hospital and the patient.  Unfortunately, hospital readmissions also affect employers, as poor employee healthcare can lead to additional costs and decreased work efficiency. Let’s explore how hospital readmissions impact costs and some effective ways to navigate this problem. ## How Hospital Readmissions Impact Costs Some hospital readmissions are expected and planned for, such as those for cancer and the associated treatments. However, many hospital readmissions aren’t planned and result in hefty costs. According to a [study published in 2021](https://hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb278-Conditions-Frequent-Readmissions-By-Payer-2018.jsp), there were 3.8 million 30-day hospital readmissions in 2018, resulting in a 14% readmission rate and average cost of $15,200 per person. The conditions associated with the highest number of readmissions were septicemia, heart failure, diabetes mellitus with complications, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia. When employees are readmitted to the hospital, employers feel the effects of their absence. Additionally, it can be difficult for employees to perform their jobs effectively when they eventually return to the workplace. All of this leads to increased costs for employers and decreased workplace efficiency. ## Effective Strategies for Reducing Hospital Readmissions Hospital readmissions impact both employers and employees, making this an especially pressing problem. Keep reading to learn four effective strategies that can help reduce readmissions. ### 1. Identifying High-Risk Members The first step in reducing readmissions is identifying the highest-risk patients. From there, engagement techniques can be targeted toward these individuals. For example, individuals with high-risk conditions that result in hospital readmissions (e.g., septicemia, heart failure, diabetes mellitus with complications, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia) may be identified first. However, flags other than medical conditions should also be evaluated, such as social determinants of health (SDOH). ### 2. Addressing SDOH [SDOH](https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health) are the conditions in which people are born, worship, live, work, learn, play, and age. These conditions affect a wide range of quality-of-life outcomes, risks, and health factors. The five domains of SDOH include economic stability, health access and quality, social and community context, education access and quality, and neighborhood and built environment. SDOH are a large contributor to [health inequities and disparities](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/healthcare-disparities). For example, if an individual doesn’t have access to healthy foods, they’re less likely to have good nutrition, increasing the risk of conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. If they have limited transportation access, they may be unable to adhere to their follow-up schedule. And if they have a low income, they may not be able to afford the medications and at-home care that are part of their post-discharge plan.  There are several ways of addressing SDOH, including building post-discharge care plans centered around these considerations and providing price transparency tools that enable members to [find care at a Fair Price™](https://www.valenzhealth.com/solutions/member-experience/valenz-bluebook/). ### 3. Boosting Employee Engagement in Healthcare It’s hard for people to implement new habits, especially around a complex topic such as healthcare. Engagement tools can help change employees’ healthcare behaviors by steering them away from high-cost, low-quality providers and redirecting them toward high-value providers. For example, engagement programs can use gamification techniques to educate members and reward quality-driven, cost-effective healthcare decisions with health savings account (HSA) contributions, wellness points, or a personal check. Remember: The more engaged an employee is with their healthcare, the more motivated they are to make healthier decisions. ### 4. Encouraging Shopping for Healthcare Many members may not realize they can shop for healthcare or even know where to look. It’s essential to provide tools that make this process simple.  Price transparency tools can help members identify and select providers that enable them to receive high-quality care at a Fair Price. Vālenz Health® has a [color-coded cost and quality solution](https://www.valenzhealth.com/solutions/member-experience/valenz-bluebook/) that makes it easy for members to find high-quality, lower-cost providers. Not only does this decrease benefit costs, but it also increases the likelihood of employees choosing high-quality care while reducing the potential of hospital readmissions. ![valenz-bluebook-example](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Blog%20Graphics/valenz-bluebook-example.png?width=800&height=768&name=valenz-bluebook-example.png) ## Improve Care Quality with our Integrated Solution Suite As part of an integrated approach to high-value healthcare, navigation solutions can go a long way toward helping employees choose high-quality care and reducing hospital readmissions. Valenz can help design a custom strategy for your employees' needs to support smarter, better, faster healthcare that improves care quality and reduces hospital readmissions. To learn more, contact our team today. ### Connect with Us to Learn More   ![Vālenz Health®](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Valenz%20Logo%20Signature.png?width=48&height=48&name=Valenz%20Logo%20Signature.png) [Vālenz Health®](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/valenz-health) Vālenz Health® empowers employers, brokers, payers, and providers to reduce costs, improve quality, and elevate the healthcare experience. Our solutions combine advanced technology, clinical expertise, and extensive cost, quality, and utilization datasets to execute across the entire healthcare journey — connecting insights and action for greater transparency, flexibility, and cost containment within a complex system. By helping our customers and members navigate healthcare with confidence, we support smarter care decisions, strengthen plan performance, and deliver better value for everyone we serve. ## Related Articles [![A doctor's stethoscope lying beside an emptied piggy bank.](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/Blog/why-price-transparency-isnt-enough-featured-blog-image.png)](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/incentivizing-smarter-healthcare-choices) ### [Why Price Transparency Isn’t Enough: The Importance of Incentives in Driving Smarter Healthcare Decisions](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/incentivizing-smarter-healthcare-choices) [Christie LaGrange](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/christie-lagrange) October 21, 2026 [![](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/Social/2026/October/hcbb-vbb-social.png)](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/valenz-bluebook-healthcare-bluebook) ### [From Healthcare Bluebook to Valenz Bluebook: Turning Navigation into Smarter Care Decisions](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/valenz-bluebook-healthcare-bluebook) Two years ago, Vālenz Health® welcomed a new member to our product family: Healthcare Bluebook. [Vālenz Health®](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/valenz-health) October 06, 2026 Share Ready to Simplify Self-Insurance? ## Your Journey Starts Here Connect with a Valenz team member to explore the difference our solutions can make for you. ![Vālenz Health](https://www.valenzhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/logo.svg) [![Youtube](https://www.valenzhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Icon-Youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/@valenzhealth) [![Linkedin](https://www.valenzhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Icon-Linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/valenz/) [Login](https://www.valenzhealth.com/user-login/) [Help Center](https://support.valenzhealth.com/hc/en-us) [Trust Center](https://trust.valenzhealth.com/) [Privacy Policy](https://www.valenzhealth.com/privacy-policy/) Cookie Settings [Cookie Policy](https://www.valenzhealth.com/cookie-policy/) [California Privacy Rights Notice](https://www.valenzhealth.com/california-privacy-rights-notice/) [Terms and Conditions](https://www.valenzhealth.com/terms-and-conditions/) 1717 McKinney Ave, Suite 1000, Dallas, TX 75202, USA | [(866) 762-4455](tel:+18667624455) © 2026 Vālenz Health® ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "about" : [ { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Member Experience" } ], "articleBody" : "Hospital readmissions are a top concern in healthcare. Readmissions impact several areas, including care quality, a patient’s quality of life, and the financial health of the hospital and the patient. Unfortunately, hospital readmissions also affect employers, as poor employee healthcare can lead to additional costs and decreased work efficiency. Let’s explore how hospital readmissions impact costs and some effective ways to navigate this problem. How Hospital Readmissions Impact Costs Some hospital readmissions are expected and planned for, such as those for cancer and the associated treatments. However, many hospital readmissions aren’t planned and result in hefty costs. According to a study published in 2021, there were 3.8 million 30-day hospital readmissions in 2018, resulting in a 14% readmission rate and average cost of $15,200 per person. The conditions associated with the highest number of readmissions were septicemia, heart failure, diabetes mellitus with complications, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia. When employees are readmitted to the hospital, employers feel the effects of their absence. Additionally, it can be difficult for employees to perform their jobs effectively when they eventually return to the workplace. All of this leads to increased costs for employers and decreased workplace efficiency. Effective Strategies for Reducing Hospital Readmissions Hospital readmissions impact both employers and employees, making this an especially pressing problem. Keep reading to learn four effective strategies that can help reduce readmissions. 1. Identifying High-Risk Members The first step in reducing readmissions is identifying the highest-risk patients. From there, engagement techniques can be targeted toward these individuals. For example, individuals with high-risk conditions that result in hospital readmissions (e.g., septicemia, heart failure, diabetes mellitus with complications, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia) may be identified first. However, flags other than medical conditions should also be evaluated, such as social determinants of health (SDOH). 2. Addressing SDOH SDOH are the conditions in which people are born, worship, live, work, learn, play, and age. These conditions affect a wide range of quality-of-life outcomes, risks, and health factors. The five domains of SDOH include economic stability, health access and quality, social and community context, education access and quality, and neighborhood and built environment. SDOH are a large contributor to health inequities and disparities. For example, if an individual doesn’t have access to healthy foods, they’re less likely to have good nutrition, increasing the risk of conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. If they have limited transportation access, they may be unable to adhere to their follow-up schedule. And if they have a low income, they may not be able to afford the medications and at-home care that are part of their post-discharge plan. There are several ways of addressing SDOH, including building post-discharge care plans centered around these considerations and providing price transparency tools that enable members to find care at a Fair Price™. 3. Boosting Employee Engagement in Healthcare It’s hard for people to implement new habits, especially around a complex topic such as healthcare. Engagement tools can help change employees’ healthcare behaviors by steering them away from high-cost, low-quality providers and redirecting them toward high-value providers. For example, engagement programs can use gamification techniques to educate members and reward quality-driven, cost-effective healthcare decisions with health savings account (HSA) contributions, wellness points, or a personal check. Remember: The more engaged an employee is with their healthcare, the more motivated they are to make healthier decisions. 4. Encouraging Shopping for Healthcare Many members may not realize they can shop for healthcare or even know where to look. It’s essential to provide tools that make this process simple. Price transparency tools can help members identify and select providers that enable them to receive high-quality care at a Fair Price. Vālenz Health® has a color-coded cost and quality solution that makes it easy for members to find high-quality, lower-cost providers. Not only does this decrease benefit costs, but it also increases the likelihood of employees choosing high-quality care while reducing the potential of hospital readmissions. Improve Care Quality with our Integrated Solution Suite As part of an integrated approach to high-value healthcare, navigation solutions can go a long way toward helping employees choose high-quality care and reducing hospital readmissions. Valenz can help design a custom strategy for your employees' needs to support smarter, better, faster healthcare that improves care quality and reduces hospital readmissions. To learn more, contact our team today. Connect with Us to Learn More", "articleSection" : [ "How Hospital Readmissions Impact Costs", "Effective Strategies for Reducing Hospital Readmissions", "1. Identifying High-Risk Members", "2. Addressing SDOH", "3. Boosting Employee Engagement in Healthcare", "4. 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