As a business owner, you can’t underestimate the importance of a quality employee benefits package. While there are a great number of benefits to having stellar coverage, such as higher employee morale, higher employee retention, and an easier time attracting new talent, finding a plan that fits both your needs and your workforce’s can be a challenge. Especially with the competitive nature of the insurance market, having so many options to sift through can leave you second guessing yourself, but you shouldn’t have to! Being knowledgeable about the more important factors to consider when shopping for insurance and a provider, will make your life so much easier, and will instill you and your employees with confidence.

To tackle this daunting task, we’ve put together a business owners guide, delving into the details surrounding group insurance, so that you can make an effective decision when it comes to your company’s future coverage package. 

What to Consider… 

Finding an individual health plan can be stressful enough, but when searching for a trusted provider for all of your employees too, there’s even more pressure. The fact is, there are a lot of factors to consider, but luckily for you, we’re here to help you navigate through all of them. 

1.Explore the Benefits

Rightfully, number one on the list, probably the most important aspect of a group insurance plan are the benefits that it provides. When looking at various insurance providers, you must make sure to carefully review the benefits, and the fine print. Insurance providers can sometimes be misleading in their wording, so just because a plan says they offer a number of benefits, it will pay off to look at the details such as out-of-pocket costs, deductibles and so on. Some of the more common benefits of a group plan include coverages for health, vision, dental, life and disability coverage. Some insurance providers and packages will go above and beyond offering things like mental health coverage, wellness programs, acupuncture and much more.

In addition to looking for a provider that offers the best benefits, you should also take the time to consider the needs and preferences of your employees. Ask yourself what they value the most. For example, are the majority of your employees mainly concerned with just health coverage? Does any of your workforce have unique needs or circumstances? How important is vision and dental coverage to your employees? Getting yourself into this pattern of thinking will enable you to find a provider that offers benefits that fit everyone’s general needs. 

2.Consider the Costs 

No matter how big or small a company is, something that every business owner must consider is the costs associated with an insurance plan.. The key is to find a happy medium between affordability and satisfactory benefits. With insurance coverage, things become more complex because there isn’t just one pricepoint to pay attention to. What’s going to be most important to analyze are the premium rates, co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums for each provider.

 A common practice for insurance companies is to offer tiered packages which have different levels of insurance with different prices associated. This allows your employees to choose between the plans at hand based on their preferences and budget. While prices can vary quite a bit, you must remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best. You can probably pay a little bit more, for much better employee coverage. Ultimately, the choice is yours depending on how much you’re willing to pay, but keep your employee’s wellness in mind. 

3.Reputation and Customer Support 

At the end of the day the insurance business is all about providing exceptional customer service and support, and you should expect nothing less. Working with a provider that is easy to communicate with can make all the difference in the world for you and your employees. With all this said, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of excellent customer service. You’re going to have to work with the provider and their employees to assist with claims, resolve issues, and to clarify policy details, so it’s worth it to do research into who they are. 

Look into the reputation of various insurance providers. Resources such as customer reviews and testimonials will help you have a better idea of what it’s like to work with the company at hand. You can also look at online resources such as the Better Business Bureau for valuable insight. Another test that can tell you a lot about a provider is how helpful and responsive they are during your first interaction. Did they take a long time to call you back? Did they do a diligent job in explaining coverage details, or offer you any additional literature? The best of the best providers will do everything in their power to make you happy, so keep your expectations high during this process. 

4.Look at the Network’s Size and Reach

Another greatly influential factor in this process is the healthcare providers network, or in other words, the doctors, specialists, hospitals and clinics that are covered in your plan. The size of a network will impact where employees can go and who they can see during times of need, so it will pay off to research the size and reach of a network before choosing a plan. What’s most crucial to keep in mind is the number of in-network specialists and facilities, as well as the convenience in location. This can be extra important if you have employees living in rural areas, as they may have to travel a far distance to get medical help. With that said, look at the locations offered in the network by a provider to ensure that no one employee has to struggle to get the proper care they deserve. 

5.Plan Customization 

Many businesses are made up of diverse individuals with diverse needs and wants. In order to find a plan that offers satisfactory benefits to everyone, you’ll want to search for a provider that allows customizable options. When speaking with an insurance rep, ask them about their ability to tailor your group insurance plan based on the characteristics of your employees. While some employees may value an employee wellness program, others may value mental health counseling, so to please everyone, a highly customized plan will work the best.

6.Efficiency and Accessibility

Something else to keep in mind is the efficiency and ease of communication when having to file a claim, or track down a policy document. With that said, during an already frustrating time, the last thing you want to deal with is a delay due to the lack of professionalism of your provider. Before choosing who to work with, ask a variety of providers about their communication policy and claims process. What you want to look for is both a company with employees who are quick to respond, and a company who has online tools such as customer portals, or online claims tracking systems. Remember, you are the one paying for coverage, so when it’s time to use the coverage, you shouldn’t have to worry about being held-up for an extended period.

It’s Decision Time!

Now that you’re equipped with all of the most important factors to consider when looking at insurance providers, it’s time to make your decision. Keeping the above knowledge in mind, the following steps will help streamline the process so that you can easily make an effective choice:

1.Look at Your Needs

You must first understand the needs and wants of your employees. What benefits are the most valuable to the majority of your workforce? Does anyone have special circumstances?

2.Research Various Providers

Put together a list of some of the top insurance providers in your area. Pay close attention to the plans and benefits that they offer, how big or small their network is and what former and current customers have to say about them. 

3.Get Quoted 

Reach out to some of the researched providers and ask for a quote, so you can get an idea of the costs associated with the plan of your choosing. GHQ is a valuable resource for this step as it can provide you with side-by-side comparisons, during the free quoting process. 

4.Talk to Provider Representatives

With an idea of pricing, network size and benefits, now you can reach out to your list of providers and talk to a representative. This is the time to ask about any questions you may have such as plan customization, claims processing and more. 

5.Talk with Your Employees

Make sure to reach out to your employees through meetings, surveys or questionnaires to understand their needs and preferences. This will enable you to make the most informed choice. 

6.Review Contract Details

Make sure to carefully comb through the contract, looking at details such as renewal conditions, coverage details or any exclusions. 

7.Speak with an Expert & Choose Wisely

Lastly, it will pay to speak with a trusted and licensed insurance expert, such as a broker or agent. Bring the research that you’ve already completed with you and ask for their insight. They will help to make you aware of important information that you may have not considered previously and can help you negotiate a price and policy terms that make you feel confident with your selection. 

Conclusion 

Trying to choose the right insurance provider and plan for you and your employees can be overwhelming to say the least. It can feel stressful when trying to account for your own budget, your employee’s needs and preferences, network sizes and more! During this process it will help you to take a deep breath and go one step at a time. Consider costs, benefits included, network details, customer service, customization, and ease of communication. Remember that the decision you make will impact your workforce and your company’s future, so take your time doing research and talking with a trusted advisor. At the end of the day, by keeping all of this in mind, you’ll be able to secure a great insurance plan with a trusted provider, making the quality of life for everyone in your organization better for years to come!

If you are a business owner who needs help finding the right coverage plan for your business, you’ve come to the right place! GHQ makes the shopping process easy, providing you with the top group insurance providers in your area, offering free quotes, and giving you a side-by-side comparison. Our licensed insurance agents work around the clock to assess your specific needs and match you with the best local plan. All you have to do is fill out a form or give us a call at 888-571-0291 to get started!

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When running a business, you want to enable your employees to be productive and motivated, because at the end of the day, the better they perform, the more successful your business will be. While it’s important for employees to be happy and healthy in their lives outside of work, the truth is, the well-being of a workforce can affect an entire organization. Although some CEOs put a lot of pressure on their employees, an employee will only put their best foot forward if they are content with their job’s atmosphere and the quality of life while “at the office.” With so many proven benefits, it’s time to stop viewing employee wellness only as a moral decision, but instead as an investment in their lives and the success of the business.

By offering employees resources, incentives, and more to encourage good health, both you, your business and your workforce as a whole will be in the best position to thrive. To get a solid understanding of how a healthy company culture can change your organization for the better, you first need to recognize the connection between health and success. Additionally, we’ll delve into the benefits that your employees can reap, and some ways for you to encourage this positive way of life. 

The Relationship Between Health and Workplace Success 

The success of an organization and the good health of its employees should be viewed like a symbiotic relationship. Without one, you can’t have the other. Not only will increased employee wellbeing encourage better performance and production, but it will also foster a work environment allowing the company to grow. To see this relationship at work, let’s look at ways a company can benefit from a healthy work culture.

Increased Engagement and Motivation 

When a group of employees feels like they are truly valued and taken care of when it comes to their well-being, they will likely be more engaged in the workplace. Feelings and actions are often reciprocated, and when deciding to invest in your workforce’s health, it sends them a message that you don’t simply think of them as a means of production. In turn, this appreciation will often come back to you in the form of more satisfied and motivated employees who want to give their best efforts. 

Better Productivity 

How someone treats their body, will greatly affect how they feel mentally, and there’s no exception when it comes to the workplace. Employees who are physically healthy will likely be in a better state of mind overall. This can come in the form of more energy, or a greater sense of alertness and focus. Additionally, healthy employees are proven to miss less days due to illness, which will help the business run smoothly, and reduce everyone’s stress. 

Reduced Healthcare Costs 

Encouraging employees to be healthy can also benefit you financially. When it comes to your employee’s group insurance coverage, the healthier people are, the less they will need to have major medical treatments or file expensive claims. This can ultimately lower your insurance premiums, which will decrease the overall amount your business spends on healthcare. 

Encourages Teamwork

While employee well-being is generally up to the individual, and therefore affects the individual, it can also promote a sense of camaraderie between co-workers. Especially if you are able to encourage the use of employee wellness programs, your workforce will feel unified having a shared goal. You can even start a fitness or healthy eating initiative in your workplace. Sometimes people thrive in a somewhat competitive environment, just remember to make it fun, and not too serious. 

Attract and Retain More Employees

When people outside of your organization notice your commitment to employee health, they will likely be impressed and want to be a part of the positive culture. The same remains true when it comes to talented prospects in search of new opportunities. In a competitive job market, what better way to stand out from the competition than showing off your healthy workforce and job environment. 

When looking at your current employees, a sense of well-being also has a positive impact. Employees who feel cared about by their employer are much more likely to remain committed to the company. Having less company turnover will encourage a close-knit team, and will save you money that you’d otherwise have to spend on recruitment and training costs. 

Personal Employee Benefits 

In addition to a variety of benefits inside the workplace, the promotion of employee health also affects individuals positively in their personal lives. 

Lowered Stress Levels 

Company initiatives such as fitness programs, mental health services and stress management resources all contribute to employee well-being. The lessons that they learn from these initiatives will likely bleed over into their personal lives, helping them to be more calm and better adapt to stressful situations. 

Financial Happiness 

Being healthy can also have a great impact on your employees financial well-being. A healthy individual will usually spend less money on medical expenses such as procedures, doctors visits and prescription drugs, alleviating that financial burden that often comes along. Additionally, they will feel happier knowing that they have more money to use on personal investments, pleasure or to put into savings. 

More Engaging Relationships and Hobbies 

Good physical and mental health will likely affect the mood of individuals in a positive way, making them more engaged with their loved ones. Rather than feeling bogged down by the day-to-day responsibilities of life, people will likely want to spend more time with family and friends, and may feel an urge to engage in more leisurely activities or hobbies. 

Increased Energy 

A healthy lifestyle generally coincides with higher levels of energy. In addition to playing a role in the workplace, the spike in energy will usually increase people’s enthusiasm in their home life as well. These levels of energy can also foster a greater sense of accomplishment, since the likelihood of getting more done in a day’s time is higher. 

A Better Work-Life Balance

In general, balancing the stress of both work and home life is more achievable when someone is in good health. While lots of people tend to bring the negatives of work home with them, or vice versa, a healthy individual will have an easier time separating the two, helping them to be more present and effective in either environment. 

Ways to Promote Employee Well-Being 

While making the decision to become a healthier person comes down to personal choice, there are a variety of ways for you as an employer to encourage positive habits. Here are some strategies to keep in mind: 

Employee Wellness Program

Offering your workforce some type of employee wellness program will push them to live a healthier lifestyle, while also encouraging teamwork. When forming the program, look at various aspects of health including nutrition, physical health, mental health, and more. Some common wellness program activities include group therapy, mindfulness seminars, and exercise classes. 

Healthy Work Environment

To make some more immediate changes, look to make changes in your physical workplace. If you don’t already, offer healthy snacks and meals in your kitchen area or cafeteria. You can also encourage better mental health by suggesting that employees take short breaks throughout the day, to give their mind a rest and stretch if needed. 

Remote or Hybrid Work Options

While some employers may be hesitant, offering remote or hybrid work options will allow employees to be more flexible in their lives, while also attending to work matters. Some companies also offer flexible hours, or shortened Fridays to encourage employee happiness. 

Health Incentives

Providing fun incentives in the form of rewards for healthy behaviors will also encourage employee well-being. Set up a company wide competition, and set specific goals or milestones for employees. For the employees who stick with it, you can offer things such as gift cards or extra paid time off.

Lead the Pack

As a business owner, some of your employees probably already look up to you in the professional world, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Set an example for the rest of the company when it comes to well-being by living an active lifestyle and by adopting healthy habits. Success rubs off on others, and by establishing yourself as a healthy individual, you can set the tone for the rest of your company. 

Final Thoughts

The health of your employees is a future investment that can benefit the individual and your company as a whole in a variety of ways. On average, employees that feel mentally and physically healthy will be more engaged, motivated and productive both at work and in their personal lives. In turn, you will reap the benefits by having lowered healthcare costs, and better employee retention and attraction, but you shouldn’t leave everything up to your workforce.

Instead, take the initiative by encouraging healthy habits through wellness programs, healthy food options, flexible schedules, and company incentives. No matter how engaged your workforce becomes with these initiatives, they will feel thankful that they have a boss who truly cares about them. The success of your business and the health of your employees walk hand in hand. By coming to terms with the reliance your company has on its employees, you will be enabled to foster a healthy work environment, and your company will reach new heights.

If you are a business owner who’s looking for an affordable group health insurance plan, with a variety of benefits, GHQ is the place to be! Our quote comparison tool gives you a side-by-side comparison of the top health plans in your area, letting you compare prices and details. Our licensed insurance experts work day and night to provide people like you with a seamless insurance shopping experience. It’s quick, simple and will ensure that you end up with an insurance plan that fits your employees needs. To get your free quote today or to learn more, fill out a form or give us a call at 888-571-0291.

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