How can the health benefits that small businesses offer their employees help them as they return their teams to the workplace?

As they return their teams to the workplace, employers want to ensure that employees remain healthy, secure and productive. The health benefits they offer their employees can help. Employers should communicate the value of their benefits to returning employees, and should consider adding these if not part of their current offering:

• Telehealth. All major carriers have temporarily enhanced their telehealth benefits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, some carrier plans offer comprehensive telehealth benefits as part of the regular schedule of benefits.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Many employers will have an EAP bundled with one of their existing lines of coverage. For those that don’t, EAPs are available both on a stand-alone basis and often as an additional benefit alongside life and disability coverage.
• Mental health and wellness. All major carriers provide value-add wellness programs, and have expanded their mental health offerings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Disability Insurance. Especially during this time, disability coverage helps employees feel that they and their families will be protected if they have to be out of work due to illness or injury.
• Remote work and emergency response benefits. These account-based benefits help employees stay productive and financially secure.

Each of your client’s needs is situational. Contact us for assistance in evaluating the benefits offerings that best meet their needs.