Have you noticed that employee benefits aren’t what they used to be? If you offer a full benefits plan, you and your employees are paying more and getting less coverage. If you don’t offer benefits, it’s becoming harder to compete in the tightest job market in decades. 

Add to that a changing workforce: by 2025, Millennials will represent a whopping 75% of workers. This generation wants different everything – including their benefits plan.

Benefits help employers differentiate themselves in order to attract and retain quality employees. If that’s true, then offering the typical benefits only achieves part of the goal. Limiting a benefits package to “traditional” offerings is a thing of the past. 

It’s part of why I started freshbenies, and also why I’m sharing 5 affordable benefits ANY employer can provide - we’re talking $13 or less per month, per employee family…

1. Advocacy

Healthcare is confusing, medical costs are rising, and finding the right care can be frustrating and time consuming. An Advocacy program will simplify the healthcare experience for your employees, and help them take control of healthcare costs. 

This service helps employees…

1. Understand their health benefits & plans (whether provided through you or another source)
2. Find highly rated, cost-effective providers
3. Coordinate care for complicated healthcare situations
4. Compare cost and quality for medical procedures
5. Find lower costs on prescriptions
6. Review and negotiate medical bills

REAL LIFE STORY: “I’ve been working with the Advocacy service to get my insurance company to move a large charge from the out-of-network amount to the correct in-network fee. After 7 months, I received a $3,583 check yesterday. The amount of time I had to invest was limited after I supplied the access and information the Advocate needed. She communicated and kept me informed on the status throughout - although it took 7 months, she was successful with limited effort on my part.”

2. Telehealth

A Telehealth service gives your employees access to talk to a U.S.-based, board-certified doctor 24/7 by phone or video to get a diagnosis, treatment options and prescription, if medically necessary. This includes medical issues like colds, flu, bronchitis, sinus/ear infections, UTIs, pink eye, rashes, etc. Your employees can save time and money by avoiding crowded waiting rooms. Depending on the program, visit fees for your employees can range from $0 up to around $50 (at freshbenies, we prefer the $0 cost).

REAL LIFE STORY: “It was flu season and our son came down with symptoms we figured were probably the flu. It was about 5 PM and our family doctor wouldn’t be able to get him in for a day or two. I called an urgent care center and it was a 7 hour wait. I used my Telehealth service and within an hour and a half, he’d had the first dose of medicine and was already feeling better.”  

3. Behavioral Telehealth

Almost half of American adults have considered or already sought mental health treatment, yet almost 1 in 3 live in areas where there is a shortage of providers. Further, 87% of Gen Z and Millennials have sought information on mental health, compared to 78% of Gen X and 66% of Boomers.

Providing a Behavioral Telehealth service gives your employees peace of mind from the comfort of home with access to licensed therapists and psychiatrists for a fraction of the cost of typical in-person visits. Your employees are able to establish an ongoing relationship with a licensed therapist through video or phone sessions. They can get support for anxiety, depression, stress/PTSD, panic disorder, grief, family & marriage issues, and more.

4. Doctors Online 

How many times do you Google a symptom only to learn you FOR SURE have brain cancer? A Doctors Online service is the email version of Telehealth. It’s ideal for guidance on medical questions, second opinions, and triage on specialist issues. Employees can even upload test results and pictures for a more personalized and accurate interaction. 

REAL LIFE STORY: “I needed lab work done…and when I received the results, there was one value out of normal range…Instead of stressing about it, I logged into my freshbenies account and sent an email. I received a response very quickly explaining the meaning of my value which immediately put my mind to ease. It was a big relief to have that resource at my fingertips!”

5. Savings Networks

These days, medical plans aren’t covering prescriptions like they used to, so employees are left to pay more out-of-pocket. And with the cost of medical plans increasing, there are less funds available for dental, vision, chiropractic – and other healthcare needs.

Savings networks can lower costs for other healthcare needs…

1. that are expensive and only partially covered by insurance
2. that aren’t covered by insurance
3. when employees don’t have insurance at all

These programs are independent from insurance and most times, the insurance price will be less expensive, but sometimes a savings network might deliver a cheaper price. Whether your employees have insurance or not, it’s always good to check.

REAL LIFE STORY: “My son was sick and needed a couple of prescriptions. I looked them up and found I could save over $70 on one of the prescriptions just by driving 5 minutes away to a local grocery store. A difference in price of $24 and $93…I was so thankful I could quickly use the app to research what my options were in my area.”

The competition for talent is heating up and looks to remain that way going forward. As an employer, you have to stand out against the competition – not only to compete for top talent, but to keep your valued employees. 

If you’re an employer who provides health benefits, these services can balance growing out-of-pocket costs for your employees. If you’re an employer who doesn’t provide health benefits, these services are a great way to avoid having to tell prospective employees, “We don’t provide any benefits.” Instead, investigate the value you can provide with these types of services and be an “employer of choice.”

Have a question? Send me an email: heidi@freshbenies.com.