Unlocking value-added benefits for a healthier, happier workforce

It’s time to reimagine traditional health insurance benefit packages and incorporate more of what prioritizes the well-being of every employee’s unique needs. As the modern workplace continues to evolve, employers are recognizing the importance of providing comprehensive benefit packages that cater to the distinct needs of their employees. In today's competitive job market, offering additional benefits at no extra cost for employees, can be a game-changer in attracting and retaining top talent, along with positively impacting employee experience. Taking it a step further, helping employees better understand their benefits and how they can work best for their needs can significantly ease the burden on employers’ HR teams and leadership, allowing them to focus more on reaching their business goals.

The business case for value-added benefits

Studies have consistently shown that employees who feel supported and valued by their employers are more productive, engaged, and loyal. By offering value-added benefits, employers can demonstrate their commitment to their employees’ well-being, leading to improved morale, reduced turnover rates, and increased job satisfaction.

Dr. Deborah Stewart, Senior Medical Director of Florida Blue, emphasizes the importance of onsite health screenings as an example of added-value for employees, saying, “Having clinical staff onsite for workplace screenings can help identify critical health signs that, if addressed, can help prevent dire health conditions, educate employees on next steps with their care, and connect them with providers for additional clinical support.” Collaborating with your health insurer to provide opportunities for health education and onsite screenings can help assess critical health signs within your workforce and connect employees with the right care components for improved well-being and outcomes. Dr. Stewart further notes, “Nothing moves the employee engagement needle more than having an employee proclaim, ‘You literally saved my life,’ and attributing that to their employer.”

By investing in the well-being of employees, employers can reap the rewards of a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce, ultimately driving business success and fostering a positive, supportive work environment.

Value-added benefits that make a difference

So, what value-added benefits are employees looking for? Some of the most in-demand benefits can make an impactful difference for both an employee and employer’s experience. Offerings like:

Mental well-being support

Options for counseling services, stress management programs, and mental well-being resources can help employees cope with anxiety, depression, and the many pressures of everyday life. According to the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, employees who received mental health services experienced improved health outcomes, reduced absenteeism, and increased job satisfaction (National Fund for Workforce Solutions, n.d.).¹

Wellness programs

Fitness classes, coaching, preventive care and wellness education workshops can promote a culture of health and wellness in the workplace. This can create a domino effect in areas like improved employee well-being, reduced turnover, and increased productivity for a business.

Help with coordinating and navigating care

Value-added benefits that focus on coordinating and helping employees navigate care can improve employee health outcomes and lower health care costs. Care coordination programs can reduce hospital readmissions and emergency room visits, resulting in lower costs of care overall. That means employers who offer value-added benefits that include care coordination and navigation services can expect to see employees who feel supported by their employer and are more productive at work.

By harnessing the power of value-added benefits, forward-thinking employers can unlock improvements in employee health outcomes that help them get the most out of their benefits, often for lower costs, leading to boosts in those employers’ bottom line, increased productivity, and employee retention.

Easing the burden on HR teams and leadership

By incorporating health literacy support and resources with their benefits packages, employers can significantly reduce the administrative burden on HR teams and leadership. The ability to understand the health care system is a critical component of helping employees navigate and maximize their benefits. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, only 12% of adults in the United States have proficient health literacy skills.² This lack of understanding can lead to confusion, frustration, and poor health outcomes. By investing in health and wellness education solutions, employers can empower their employees to make informed decisions about their health, optimize using their health plan benefits, reduce wasteful spending and help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Employers can work with insurers like Florida Blue for educational and care support with targeted health and wellness programs that employees need.

The bottom line

In today's competitive job market, employers have to think in new and innovative ways to differentiate themselves, attract, and retain top talent. By working with health insurers like Florida Blue to offer value-added benefits at no extra cost and helping employees better understand how to use their health plan benefits, employers can demonstrate their commitment to their employees' overall well-being, streamline administrative processes and cultivate a high-performing, healthier, happier workforce that can drive business success forward.

Find out how Florida Blue can help your business and employees. Talk to your broker or a Florida Blue agent for more information.

References

¹ National Fund for Workforce Solutions. (n.d.). Mental Health in the Workplace: Supporting Employee Well-being. Retrieved from https://nationalfund.org.

² National Assessment of Adult Literacy. "Health Literacy." National Center for Education Statistics, 2003. https://nces.ed.gov/naal/health.asp.