Understanding Health Care Benefits

We’ve all heard the news that preventive care (seeing a health care provider for regular screenings and checkups) can be cost-effective. But if employees don’t fully understand their health care benefits, how can they use them? Here are some suggestions to ensure that employees have the information they need:

• Help new employees understand their health plan options and be sure they can easily access information about their benefits. A health fair or one-on-one time with your provider or benefits manager can also be helpful.
• Make sure that employees can access health benefit information in their native language whenever possible.
• Direct employees to user-friendly information. For example, computer-savvy staff might find Web-based information easier to access, while others may prefer printed plan descriptions.
• Periodically check in with employees to see if they need any assistance in understanding or accessing their health care benefits.

Empower employees to be more proactive about their health …ask their doctor that nagging question, even if they think it’s nothing (or they’re too embarrassed) …stay on top of their immunizations (remember, prevention pays!) and more.