By Summer Westerbur
Preventive care and mental health benefits will be the most important part of your employee benefits package this year.
One unfortunate result of the pandemic is that many people delayed preventative medical screenings because they wanted to avoid exposure to COVID in doctors’ offices. In early 2021, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) found that two-thirds of doctors were seeing an increase in patients with advanced disease and nearly 75% had patients who had missed routine cancer screenings, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment. A survey by the non-profit Business Group on Health discovered 94% of employers are anticipating an increase in 2022 medical spending attributable to more cases of advanced disease because of delayed treatment. Many businesses are seeing an increased interest in emergency savings accounts through payroll deductions.
Mental health is also priority for employees this year. Employees are seeking easy access to care, extra resources, and understanding from their colleagues and employers. As we all learn to live with the reality of endemic COVID, mental health benefits will continue to be an important piece of any employee benefits package. A trend in 2021 Open Enrollment was employers adding additional mental health benefits and resources, a sign many employers recognize the pressures employees have been under. Many of my groups requested these plans, including options that provide mental health benefits to the employees waiving health insurance. More employers are offering voluntary mental health benefits — not every employee will take advantage of these programs, but it’s an option for those who want it.
As employers continue to navigate ‘The Great Resignation’, taking care of current employees will remain a top priority. Businesses should consider providing benefits to part time and contingent workers. Additionally, thinking beyond the traditional vision, medical, and dental insurance, some employers are offering student debt products, child care support, home office stipends, pet insurance, and other options that allow employees to customize their benefits to their unique needs.
As an employer, consider encouraging employees to seek medical care they delayed. Make sure your plan provides mental health benefits and that these benefits have been properly communicated to employees.
Summer Westerbur, founder of Kairos Insurance Group, is experienced in all types of insurance including employee benefit packages, product liability, general liability, professional liability and building insurance. For more information, contact Summer@kairosinsurancegroup.com or call (719) 331-1832.
