What Happens When You Nudge at the Right Time?

In benefits administration, timing is everything. For example, what if instead of waiting for employees to navigate complex choices on their own, you could guide them with the right nudge, and do that at exactly the right moment? 

At Empyrean, our vision is clear: move beyond benefits awareness to true benefits activation. That means helping employees to not only understand their benefits but also to use them — and use them intelligently, proactively, and confidently when it matters most. 

The Rise of Moment-Based Nudging 

Modern employees are overwhelmed by information and under-equipped to make split-second decisions that affect their health, finances, and family wellbeing. Yet so many critical actions, from getting a preventive checkup to choosing the right healthcare provider to maximizing HSA contributions, are most effective when taken early. 

That’s where moment-based nudging comes in. 

Empyrean’s AI-powered solution identifies timely, relevant actions to support employees’ needs. For example, when an employee has a new medical diagnosis or has just received a claim from a hospital stay, the system delivers hyper-personalized support. This might include alerts to file supplemental claims, notices of ​​billing errors that cost employees money, or follow-up nudges to specialty care services based on employee health conditions and healthcare events. 

For example: 

• Preventive care: A nudge reminds the employee that their annual wellness exam is covered at no cost and helps them schedule it.
• Care for a new diagnosis: An employee receives a timely notification about a tech-enabled diabetes care solution offered by their employer, which helps the employee feel supported while improving their health and lowering costs for everyone.
• Life event support: After a hospital visit, the system may ask: “Congratulations on your new baby! Would you like to add them to your plan now?” 

Each of these nudges delivers clarity and confidence. 

Proof That It Works 

1. Research shows that timing is critical to influencing employee behavior. Harvard Business Review has reported that nudges are significantly more effective when they are tailored to the moment of decision-making, with clear guidance on “when, where, and how” employees should act.
2. Automated email reminders in healthcare settings significantly reduced appointment no-shows. SMS reminders have been shown to improve short-term medication adherence, while text alerts sent before court dates lowered missed appearances by roughly 20%.
3. A collaboration between RAND Corporation and Castlight Health demonstrated that personalized nudges aligned with upcoming care events, such as medical procedures, help direct employees to high-value providers, resulting in measurable cost savings and better outcomes. Verified results from Castlight’s navigation platform show it delivered approximately 15% fewer inpatient days and 12% lower labs and imaging costs per patient in its first year. 

Why Nudging Drives ROI 

Personalized, timely guidance isn’t just good UX and good for EX. It’s become a business imperative. Here’s how intelligent nudging delivers return on investment: 

• Increased benefits utilization: Employees take advantage of preventive services, financial tools, and wellness programs they might otherwise overlook.
• Lower healthcare costs: Nudges guide smarter provider choices, encourage early intervention, and connect employees to complementary care that drives better health outcomes and reduces costs.
• Reduced HR burden: AI automates employee outreach and common questions, freeing HR teams to focus on strategic work.
• Improved engagement & retention: 72% of employees say personalized benefits increase their loyalty to their employer. 

And because every interaction is tracked, employers receive real-time insights into what's working, where to improve, and how to fine-tune their strategies for benefits plan design and communication. 

From Engagement to Activation 

Most platforms stop at benefits education. Empyrean goes further. Our vision centers on activation: helping employees make decisions that improve their lives and your bottom line. With AI-powered recommendations, intelligent prompts, and simplified access to support, employees don’t just engage, they act. 

As Empyrean CEO Rich Wolfe put it at ​​EVOLVE 2024, “Benefits administration is about more than plan design. It is about the holistic support of the employee experience.” 

A Final Thought 

The most powerful thing you can offer your people isn’t more benefits. It’s smarter support for using those benefits more wisely. In the moments when those kinds of decisions matter most, the right nudge can change everything. 

Let’s move beyond engagement. Let’s activate wellbeing. 

Learn more about how Empyrean can help you deliver smarter, moment-based benefits experiences.