How Health Systems and Health Plans Can Use Signals to Drive Revenue, Equity, and Trust
We’ve Built the Signal Funnel — Now Let’s Expand It
In Parts 1–3, we:
- Broke down why acquisition, engagement, and retention are failing
- Introduced real-time, individual-driven signals as the solution
- Showed how to build and launch a signal-first care funnel In Part 4, we go even further. This isn’t just about better marketing.
It’s about smarter growth, deeper equity, and sustainable value-based revenue.
Advanced Use Case 1: Maternal Health — Catching Hypertension Before Delivery
The Problem:
Maternal mortality is rising — especially for Black and Medicaid-covered women. Many issues (like hypertension) are missed until too late.
Signal-Based Solution:
- Daily smartphone scans in 2nd/3rd trimester
- Detection of blood pressure trends before clinical symptoms
- Instant outreach to OBs or care coordinators
Results from Early Pilots:
- 42% faster identification of rising blood pressure
- 63% engagement rate with digital prenatal coaching
- $2,000 per-patient cost avoidance by preventing ER or NICU escalation
Signal = Safety.
Advanced Use Case 2: Behavioral Health — Silent Crises, Early Flags
The Problem:
Most behavioral health referrals happen after a crisis. But biological stress patterns can appear early — even if a person doesn’t speak up.
Signal-Based Solution:
- Passive stress pattern scanning (HRV, sleep, micro-inflammation)
- Match to mental health coaching, therapy options, or support group invites
Hypothetical Model:
- Scan detects high cortisol pattern
- Outreach: “Your scan suggests you’re under a lot of stress — we’re here to support you.”
Why It Matters:
- De-stigmatizes entry point
- Builds trust without needing self-reporting
- Drives early intervention for depression, anxiety, burnout
Signal = Support.
Advanced Use Case 3: Social Determinants — Using Biology to Find Who Needs Help
The Problem:
SDOH programs often rely on zip code or intake forms — but those miss urgency.
Signal-Based Solution:
- Use scan trends to identify instability (e.g. malnutrition, chronic stress)
- Trigger social navigator outreach or food insecurity services
Real-World Application:
- A Medicaid MCO used signal-based alerts to prioritize outreach for housing & food support
- Engagement jumped 3x when outreach followed a signal
Signal = Equity.
Revenue Impact: How Signals Drive Value-Based Contracts
Problem:
You can’t fix what you can’t see. And most VBCs penalize late care.
Signal Advantage:
- Detect rising risk earlier = shift outcomes faster
- Document risk = improve RAF scores
- Trigger care = hit quality benchmarks
Financial Upside:
- $4,800 avg. additional CMS risk payment per signal-confirmed RAF adjustment
- Lower MLR through prevented admissions
- Higher Stars/CAHPS from timely, personal outreach
Signal = Reimbursement.
Marketing Reinvented: Campaigns That React to Biology
Let’s say a member scans and shows signs of pre-diabetes. You don’t send a generic message. You send:
- A personal alert: “You may be trending into pre-diabetes.”
- A call-to-action: “Let’s connect you to nutrition support.” Now your marketing team isn’t just blasting. They’re delivering. This makes:
- Engagement 5–10x more effective
- Messaging tied to care strategy
- Budgets better aligned to outcomes
Signal = Strategy.
Trust & Consent: The Real Asset
All this only works if the person opts in. That means:
- Easy consent models
- Transparency around how data is used
- Giving value first — insight in exchange for scan
When people feel seen, safe, and served — they stay. That’s how you build a trusted brand in healthcare.
Signal = Relationship.
Coming in Part 5:
- Real-Time Signal Dashboards for Execs
- Embedding Signals Into Contracts
- Scaling from Pilot to Enterprise
- Future-Proofing the Member Experience
Signal-based care isn’t just a tactic. It’s the next operating system for healthcare.
MyRoad.io provides Targeted, Relevant, and Timely Data. Schedule a consultation to integrate into your sales funnel.
