How To Save Without Alienating Employees
Health insurance premiums and health care costs continue to escalate. So how can you provide the kind of programs that will appeal to drivers and other employees while, at the same time, come up with the most cost-effective options for your company?
Following are some suggestions compiled from insurance companies, wellness program administrators, and health organizations.
Understand your needs. Talk to employees and even prospective employees to find out what health services they need - and what you need to be competitive.
If you're recruiting drivers and other employees with families, you'll need family health plans. Higher deductibles and co-pays will reduce premiums, but how high can you go before you start losing drivers? How much of the premium cost are they willing to share before they start looking elsewhere?
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are drawing more and more interest from employers looking to reduce premiums by raising deductibles. Experts note that, to qualify, deductibles must be high (generally $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families.) That's about double the current national average and, despite the HSA merits, may not go over well with many workers. To be successful, an HSA program requires lots of employee education and communication.
If the program you choose is a Health Maintenance or Preferred Provider Organization, make sure that employees in all areas as well as drivers on the road have access to plan services.
Communicate with employees and get them involved. Keep them informed of health insurance costs. Make sure they understand the details of your plan - what's covered and what isn't, how to file claims, who to call if they have a problem. When there are changes, explain what they are and why they are necessary.
Promote good health and wellness. Provide employees with health education materials via mail or the Internet. Offer healthy choices in vending machines. Provide incentives for employees and their families to participate in weight loss, exercise and stop-smoking programs. Structure programs so that basic health checkups or screenings are covered 100%.
Educate employees on health care management and costs. Encourage them to seek second opinions and alternatives to expensive and often invasive tests and treatments. Show them how they can save money on prescription drugs through generics or mail-order sources. Train them to review bills for errors or excess charges. Teach them to recognize when an emergency room visit is warranted, and when it isn't.
Choose your insurance partners carefully. Make sure brokers, agents and insurance companies are properly licensed by applicable state agencies. Look for providers that have experience in trucking. Check out their financial stability and find out what you can about the quality of their service. If you self-insure, make sure your claims administration procedures and policies are geared to service and employee well-being, not just savings.
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