Are you providing the right health benefits resources for your employees? Maybe it’s time for an audit. Every year, employees unwittingly make mistakes when engaging with and accessing healthcare. No surprise considered that almost half of employees don’t understand their health benefits.
These mistakes can be costly—not just for employees, but for employers, too. In fact, when employees don’t understand how to navigate this complex arena, they often avoid care altogether—perhaps the most costly mistake of all.
That’s why providing educational resources is so important. It’s one of the keys to preventing care avoidance, and empowering employees to actively engage in their own healthcare.
It can be overwhelming to digest all the details of healthcare plans and learn how to make the best choices. The knowledge gap among your workforce can vary from minute to massive. Some of your staff may not know the difference between a copay and a deductible; while others may have more advanced questions regarding the comparative tax advantages of an HRA or an HSA.
In an ideal world, any employee would be able to get the support and information they need, no matter how granular. Of course, in the real world, time and resources are limited. So consider implementing some automated resources to help carry the load. For example, an online resource library that includes videos, infographics, and a Frequently Asked Questions landing page.
There’s also tremendous value in providing up-to-date virtual and in-person training; opportunities to connect with an HR representative, the insurer, or broker; and ways to ask questions, and download forms. Consider the demographics of your employees and provide bilingual materials when appropriate. Understanding healthcare benefits is difficult enough, so demonstrating to your employees that you are prioritizing their needs and customizing education for them, is important.
Providing employees with the right health benefit resources in many different ways is a highly effective way to secure the future of their health, and your organizational culture. With proactive education from leadership and your HR team, in tandem with your insurance partner, you will always be ready to answer questions, support employees, and offer education and guidance, so that they can feel confident in becoming actively engaged in their health and healthcare outcomes.
