ChristianaCare’s strategy for lower costs while improving employee wellness

Roberto Torres-Cervantes, a food service worker at ChristianaCare’s Cecil County campus, participates in a caregiver immunization campaign (Photo christianacare.org)

WILMINGTON- ChristianaCare, Delaware’s largest private employer, is tackling healthcare costs by implementing new solutions that prioritize preventive care, improve employee health, and maintain manageable costs. 

As healthcare costs continue to rise, businesses and employees alike face increasing financial pressure.

ChristianaCare, provides health coverage for nearly 23,000 employees, spouses, and dependents through its self-funded health plan. It has taken significant steps to curb healthcare expenses. 

“The key to a healthier, more resilient workforce is tackling health issues early to prevent costly emergency or ‘rescue’ care,” said Donna Antenucci, MHA, BSN, RN, vice president of population health operations at ChristianaCare, in Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Delaware Business Magazine.

“By prioritizing prevention and early intervention, we’ve made progress in improving employee health while controlling costs.”

In 2023, inpatient facility costs for employees (covering hospital admissions for surgeries, medical treatments, and other overnight care) dropped by 9%. Much of this success is attributed to wellness incentives and chronic disease management strategies that shift care to more cost-effective outpatient settings.

CareVio: Personalized chronic disease management

CareVio, a care coordination and chronic disease management platform that offers personalized support for employees and their families.

One standout success is CareVio’s diabetes program, which has delivered notable results. In 2023, nearly all program participants improved their blood sugar levels, with an average A1c reduction of 1.7 points.

“CareVio helps employees stay on track with preventive care and manage their conditions more effectively,” said Emily Sahm, EA, vice president of Total Rewards at ChristianaCare.

Primary care and wellness programs

Recognizing the importance of primary care, ChristianaCare has expanded access through a voluntary wellness incentive program that now rewards employees and their families for making healthy choices, including smoking cessation support.

One major change in 2023 was the expansion of incentives to encourage primary care visits. Over 18 months, primary care utilization among employees and spouses increased by over 10%, rising from 66% to 77% as of January 2025.

Virtual health and flexibility

To make high-quality healthcare more accessible, ChristianaCare created the Center for Virtual Health, offering virtual-first primary care to over 1,200 employees. This allows employees to fit preventive care into their schedules while maintaining consistent support for their health needs.

Improving care and reducing costs

In January 2023, ChristianaCare introduced the ChristianaCare Clinical Alliance, a clinically integrated network developed in partnership with Highmark, implemented in the employee health plan in July 2024. The network connects employees and community clinicians to provide evidence-based, coordinated care.

The Clinical Alliance focuses on wellness and chronic disease management, helping employees stay healthier while reducing costly emergency visits and hospital stays. 

“Healthier employees lead to lower expenses and a more engaged, productive workforce,” said Sahm. “By showing that we value employee health, we’re creating a workplace that benefits everyone.”

Affordable healthcare and better outcomes

Dr. Christopher Casscells, MD, Policy Director at the Center for Health Policy at the Caesar Rodney Institute and a leading Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon in Delaware, emphasized the responsibility of Christiana Care and Highmark in ensuring both affordability and improved health outcomes.

“As the unchallenged providers of both healthcare and health insurance to Delaware’s largest pool of both state and non state employees, Christiana Care and Highmark have an obligation to both affordability and better health outcomes.” Casscells wrote in a statement. 

He also highlighted the issue of obesity, which significantly increases the risk of developing  chronic conditions, like heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.  

“Of all of the innovations here touted , the (unmentioned) proper use of GLP-1 medications is critical to obesity, the root cause of most chronic conditions. Together, these two institutions could drive that successfully if it is targeted,” he said.

More than one-third of Delaware adults are classified as “obese,” according to the 2022 Delaware Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS).