Has your company made the big decision that they want to offer an employee benefits program? Perhaps the company is growing which has resulted in more staff being brought in. Then again, maybe it has to do with attracting and retaining top talent which a robust employee benefits program can certainly do. Regardless of the motivation behind it, choosing a plan can be an overwhelming experience since there are so many to pick from.
To aid in the process here are four things you will most likely want to include in the employee benefits program or be on the lookout for.
The Basic Coverage – Medical, Vision and Dental
First things first, when you say you’re offering an employee benefits program, there are a few main areas that will be expected. Employees will expect to see basic coverage in the categories of medical, vision and dental. Just what kind and how extensive the coverage is in each of those categories will be up to the company to decide.
You can look through various employee benefits plans and connect with different brokers to get an understanding of what’s out there and what kind of package would make the most sense. Keep in mind that the best plan is one that meets the needs of employees and the employer. If you want to go above and beyond the basics, then you can add more options to the plan.
Is the Plan Customizable?
Customization may be another top priority for your company. That could mean that you want to work with a specific broker, a specific plan, or specific benefits. Gone are the days when employers were given just a few options to choose from; today, they can be very specific and find exactly what they want and need.
How Much Access Is Given to Employees?
Where it used to be that staff would need to submit a paper expense form, today everything has gone digital. And with this shift has come the employee portal of the benefits plan that allows employees to access information, make claims, view balances, check their coverage and more all on their own.
It’s something that benefits both employees and employers since staff will feel more in control of their coverage. Typically, this information can be accessed by staff using a companion app or through the provider’s website.
Because employees will be submitting receipts and claims digitally, it will reduce the amount of paperwork that the HR department has to do in a significant way.
Do You Want to Offer Choice?
The final consideration is whether or not you want to give employees a choice when it comes to the plan itself. Rather than one single plan for all staff, perhaps you want to offer a couple of options that they can choose to enroll in if they want.
These tips and considerations will help ensure that you find a benefits program that is robust, streamlined, makes employees happy, and is also beneficial to the company.
