I’ve always thought that Human Resources (HR), while being one of the most satisfying jobs, is also one of the toughest.

Lori Schmidt, HR Benefits Administrator for Waupaca County in Wisconsin, chooses to focus on the positive.

For her, part of that is being able to help improve the health of their diverse workforce in practical ways.

Like running health and well-being programs that people want to get involved in. Seeing how initiatives have improved blood pressure and cholesterol year on year. And making sure employees facing health challenges like a new cancer diagnosis get care as smoothly and affordably as possible.

But while the job brings her a keen sense of purpose, Lori admits that there are negatives. Like frequently feeling that she has to get a ton of work done while also keeping abreast of constant changes.

Here are two ways that working with Robin with HealthPartners helps Lori stay ahead.

1. More time to spend on health and well-being strategies, less on admin

Unlike many of her peers, Lori has not spent the last few years feeling overwhelmed by the daily detail of the county’s medical and pharmacy benefits. She hasn’t worried about employee complaints or spent hours on the phone mediating as different reps try to solve mistakes.

And she also hasn’t felt stressed about inaccurate charges. “I don’t like to see our employees charged more than they should be, or the county,” she says. But overcharges haven’t been a concern since the county started working with Robin as their new carrier in late 2019.

2. Bolstering budgets by reducing pharmacy costs

In addition to a smooth partnership with Robin, Lori and long-time Benefits Consultant Jay Scott (USI Insurance Services) appreciate that Robin with HealthPartners’ integrated, low net cost approach is “delivering on the financials,” per Jay. They relished the $240,000 in benefits savings they reported to the county’s board after a year with Robin.

That’s money that the county can put to good use.

To learn why integrated pharmacy and medical benefit management through Robin with HealthPartners is working so well for Waupaca County, read HealthPartners Pharmacy Benefit Management Case Study.