Four Benefit Tips for Small and Midsize Businesses - U.S. Healthcare Blog
Confronting issues around healthcare costs is a significant challenge facing today’s small- and medium-sized businesses. While you might think your size limits your options, that’s not necessarily the case.
In fact, whether or not any particular small- or medium-sized company can actually reduce its health insurance premiums while maintaining the same level of coverage depends on each entity's specific situation. But there are some general techniques that will apply to all. Here are four actionable approaches to controlling healthcare costs:
- Negotiate better
This may seem obvious. The proposal you receive for next year is not necessarily the carrier’s best and final offer. Sit down with your broker to develop a renewal, marketing and negotiation strategy. A well-planned approach will help you get the lowest possible cost and leverage everything that today’s competitive marketplace has to offer.
- Investigate turn-key health and benefits solutions
Don’t assume you have to manage everything within your company. Investigate offerings that provide a “turn-key solution” that includes more personalized health and benefits support.
- Switch to individual plans
Although it’s not a common strategy, some businesses have considered an individual plan approach that eliminates the employer contribution and positions employees who qualify to take advantage of subsidies that could provide them with coverage at around $100 a month. Options for individuals exist on the public exchange as well as in the private market. Be sure to consider potential penalties under the ACA and any impact this approach may have on other important business objectives, such as the ability to attract and retain employees.
- Promote a “Culture of Health” within the office
Reward employees for taking care of themselves and living a healthy lifestyle by giving them tools to track fitness goals and introducing lifestyle initiatives. These incentives will also motivate employees to take advantage of the benefits they have, such as their annual check-up. Studies show that leaders who live and promote healthy lifestyles are successful at getting employees to do the same.
The key to controlling company healthcare costs lies in having a plan -- and putting it to work.