Know Your Benefits: Hidden Perks for Your Wellness Plan
July 3, 2023
Discover what hidden perks your medical benefits plan may have to get the most out of your coverage.
Discover what hidden perks your medical benefits plan may have to get the most out of your coverage.
Health insurance provides coverage for services your employees need, such as preventive care and annual checkups. Yet, your plan may have more to offer.
Many health plans offer additional benefits that incentivize healthy lifestyles. As an employer, you can request or negotiate for access to wellness dollars that can provide discounted gym memberships, customizable diet and health plans, holistic treatments, tobacco cessation and encourage wellness champion teams.
While these additional perks can vary, it’s beneficial that you explore everything your health plan has to offer to get the most out of your coverage and wellness budget.
Provide an onsite biometric screening or flu vaccine clinic for using your wellness budget. You can request carriers and specialty vendors to help educate employees on current wellness benefits and local wellness offerings that are available through their plan.
Hosting a health fair is the perfect way to start off an employee wellness plan. It’s important to educate employees on their benefits and offer different activities.
Some health plans offer employees savings and discounts on their gym memberships. By signing up and taking advantage of the discount, employees will save money for future healthcare costs down the road by taking care of their physical health and wellness.
In addition, many health plans offer rewards or reimbursements for events that employees participate in such as going to the gym, tracking steps each day, or registration fees for 5Ks and other walk/run races.
Finding a diet and exercise plan that works with daily routine can be challenging for employees. Health care plans and wellness budgets offer programs such as Weight Watchers or Livongo, created by professionals to help guide employees through a plan that works for them. By promoting different programs to employees, you can give them a way to work towards a healthier lifestyle alongside others that have similar goals.
Along with these programs some providers may offer discounts on healthy groceries. This allows employees the option to choose food that otherwise may be too expensive but is now affordable.
Plans may offer holistic care and treatments including massage chairs, massage therapy, ergonomic desks and onsite wellness rooms. These offerings are used as part of overall wellness and care generally offered to all employees. The inclusion of tobacco cessation and financial wellness education or presentations would also fall within possible holistic offerings for employees.
The old saying, “There’s no I in team” has validity in the business world too. While one person may want the effectiveness of wellness within their company, true success can only be achieved through participation of others. It is crucial to involve team members from every level of the company, from interns to C-suite executives, to listen to all perspectives. This improves the company culture and fosters healthy competition. By highlighting what is already working well and collaborating to enhance it further, the team can achieve even greater results.
The health care plan(s) you provide may cover more than you think. Plans likely have hidden perks and opportunities to reignite the wellness spark within the company. Dive into what your health care plans provide by reaching out to your broker’s account team or wellness program coordinator for additional information.
