When an individual is searching for a job or is already currently employed, health benefits remain a high point of interest, a necessity, especially in a strong economy and tight labor market. Recent surveys suggest, 80% of employees would choose additional health benefits over a pay raise. This explains why a generous benefits package is essential for attracting and retaining top talent.
The following items are trending among consumers as the most sought-after offerings within employee benefits packages today.
Health Plan Designs
The most common plan types in 2019 were:
- Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
- HDHP/SOs (High Deductible Health Plans w/ Saving Option)
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
- Point-of Service (POS) plans
In past years, PPOs have been perceived as an attractive plan in the eyes of employees; as they provide more flexibility when it comes to choosing when and where to seek healthcare. A PPO plan also offers discounts to visit providers within network and does not require referrals to see in-network specialists.
Today, however, there has been a rise in employers offering HDHPs and an increase in employee enrollment. These High Deductible Health Plans are normally coupled with a saving option to protect participants from catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses. Although employees may experience a higher annual deductible, they’ll have access to additional funds to put towards that deductible and other healthcare expenses.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine grants consumers access to healthcare from the convenience of their home or workplace. It includes the delivery of healthcare services, such as health assessments, consultations, and treatments, via phone or videoconferencing. Patients continue to find themselves saving money and time, which can be attributed to virtual healthcare’s striking spike in popularity among consumers.
More than two-thirds of employers with 50 or more employees have embraced telemedicine. In some cases, telemedicine has been expanded beyond serving as an alternative for visiting a primary care doctor for ailments, to reinventing the concept in the form of telemental health and telerehabilitation services.
Paid Leave and Family Benefits
The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a U.S. labor law that provides job-protected, unpaid leave for employees with qualified medical and family reasons.
The demand for a generous parental and family leave policy continues to grow. As a result, employers are re-evaluating and expanding their leave policies to accommodate a larger pool of participants, such as non-birthing parents, those dealing with infertility, and those who need time to care for a family member in need — ultimately aiming to boost attraction and retention efforts of current and potential employees.
Looking forward into 2020, it is crucial for employers to understand employees’ benefit needs and wants to entice talent; and just as important for employees to seek out what is essential to maintain their quality of life.
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Trust the Creative Benefits Team to keep you informed on industry trends. Questions? Contact us at 866-306-0200 or solutions@creativebenefitsinc.com.