George K.
Many new types of health-related and wellness benefits have been rising during the past decade, but you must never forget the basics – employee medical insurance. Health coverage is essential and it has become a standard in many companies.
If you are young, you probably haven’t experienced working without any medical plan. You may even ask yourself if it’s that big of a deal. Here we will discuss the importance of a good insurance plan and answer all your questions.
What Is Employee Medical Insurance?
Nowadays it’s a must in almost every company. But offering a good quality program with benefits may attract people to work for you. Employees will feel appreciated and rewarded. It increases productivity and shapes a positive work environment.
There is a variety of options available, but these are some usual forms group health benefits come in:
- Basic health benefits (inpatient and outpatient care; regional and international coverage; coverage for dependents; the inclusion of pre-existing conditions)
- Additional benefits (dental and vision plans; maternity coverage)
- Comprehensive benefits (immunization; mental health; health checks)
Protecting and supporting the wellbeing of employees, so they can be productive and active is the main goal of medical insurance plans. Additional benefits, like education and financial help, are often available. Experts at GroupEnroll.ca accentuate the importance of various programs, such as insurance for people with disabilities, life insurance, or retirement plans. You can choose the best one for your staff while being financially realistic and centered on your goals.
Types of Employee Benefits
Employee benefits can be required or optional.
Required Benefits
These benefits are required by local, state, or federal laws. Make sure to include them in the insurance program. Some of the required benefits are:
- Worker’s compensation
- Leaves of absence
- Social security
- Disability insurance
- Unemployment insurance
Optional Benefits
They are not required by law but they are very important and included in most insurance plans.
Here is a list of optional employee benefits most commonly offered by businesses:
- Paid sick time
- Paid vacation
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life or disability insurance
- Retirement plan options
Some of the benefits that are not so common, but are considered very useful and creative are:
- Flextime
- Project competition incentives
- Workplace wellness programs
- Professional development
- Creative time-off benefits
Group Health Insurance
Purchasing a group health insurance is advised by many experts. If it’s your first time, it may be difficult to make a confidant choice. The ACA (Affordable Care Act) has changed the market so much that it’s normal to feel confused. Here are some tips you might consider, so you can get the best plan to serve you and your employees.
- Don’t let the price guide you
- Find out the dollar maximum per claim
- Find out the dollar maximum per lifetime
- Seek sufficient coverage limits
- Look for provider freedom
- Look for limitations
- Consider your need for worldwide coverage
Be prepared to provide mandatory meetings, educational material, and support to your staff, so they can understand their benefits. That way you may also prevent misuse. Even if you purchase the same program every year, a meeting is useful to remind everybody of the valuable benefits and get the potential questions answered.
How to Choose?
If you are a business owner or a manager, the first and most important thing when choosing an insurance program is that it is high quality. Make sure you have the flexibility to choose different benefits for your workers and to adapt the plan to their needs. There are many insurance companies that offer online applications, so check that out if you find it convenient. It’s not too complicated and the market is large, with a variety of options available. If you are having doubts, there are plenty of agents and intermediaries available to help you through every step of this process.
Why Is Having a Good Insurance Plan Important?
An easy way to answer this question is: by doing research on how much your employees would pay individually, without insurance. You can check The Cost of International Health Report from 2017., or The International Private Medical Insurance Inflation from 2018., which are both available for free. They show how much cheaper health insurance is when secured by the company than when purchased individually. As a group, you will have more negotiating power and control and you will be sure your money is well spent.
Remember that you are responsible for your employees and that they are your greatest investment. Insurance plans are crucial for any business, as well as the satisfaction and productivity of your workers. A good program will help you save money and keep the employees well informed, healthy, and safe.
