Renewal season is coming soon for most companies that offer employee health benefits. As the costs of offering health care have continued to rise, this time of year can come with hard choices. Some businesses have considered abandoning offering health benefits but continue to hang on regardless of their bottom line. Others have chosen to eliminate their plans, increasing employee pay instead to help them afford their own insurance. However, those employers are now returning to their previous ways. Why do employers continue to offer employee health benefits? For a few reasons:
1) To retain employees – Even though the increased income and federal health plan choices gave employees more flexibility with their health benefits, losing that employer benefit also brought complexity and fear. Workers are accustomed to this “perk” and can feel less valued by an organization that does not invest in their well-being. Wading through the ACA-approved insurance plans each year is frustrating and time-consuming. Businesses run the risk of good people leaving for organizations that offer employer-based coverage. There is a high value placed on peace of mind, not just by the employee, but by the employer as well. Offering quality employee benefits tends to be a common trait of companies committed to creating a desirable place to work..
2) To attract employees – One of the most common complaints among business owners these days is the challenge of finding quality employees to hire. Once that rare gem is found, employers must have an attractive package to offer, which for most workers includes more than salary and PTO. Health benefits can be an important value-add to attract a stellar workforce.
3) There are cost-effective alternatives available Organizations facing large rate increases in their group health insurance premiums are looking for more affordable alternatives. One of those options is to contract with a Professional Employment Organization. PEOs like Indiana-based WorkSmart Systems offer private group health insurance plans that allow employers to take advantage of the power behind economies of scale. A co-employment PEO, WorkSmart medically underwrites its plan for its 9,000 co-employees, with multiple benefit options. Employers are able to offer the quality coverage of a Fortune 500 company while managing their costs. WorkSmart also offers other HR services to help businesses be more efficient with their time and money, such as payroll, HR administration, and an HRIS platform.
Continued change is on the horizon in the health insurance landscape. Regardless, businesses still want to attract and maintain a quality workforce while managing their bottom line. Reach out to us for more information on WorkSmart, as well as other opportunities to help you achieve this goal. Send us an email or give us a call at 317-663-4138.
