WEST DES MOINES, IA -The implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has left many Americans confused and searching for answers. Businessolver(R), a leading benefits administration outsourcing partner for mid and large markets, believes we need to rethink the way benefits are communicated and managed, that employees can take a more active role in their health and wellness, and that technology can deliver what employees need to take personal accountability for their well-being and help make wise benefit decisions.
Employers are looking for more affordable options. Private exchanges are increasing in popularity as large companies look to continue to provide quality benefits to their employees, as well as meet the affordability standard of the PPACA.
What’s Old is New Again
The previously popular cafeteria or flex plan strategies have made a re-appearance as defined contribution – one of the most talked-about strategies by consultants and analysts over the past few years. Those defined contribution plans have been most commonly discussed as a key argument for why private exchanges are, and will continue to be, a good fit for large employers. But defined contribution and private exchanges are not mutually exclusive. In fact some benefits technology platforms are able to deliver on a defined contribution strategy for individual employer groups.
“Employees are buying benefits, but not thinking about the purchase like traditional consumers,” said Rae Shanahan, Executive Vice President of Excellence & Engagement at Businessolver. “Choice is a good thing for consumers however it can become overwhelming which leads to confusion. The average consumer spends several days shopping for products ranging from TVs to shoes and only about 19 minutes ‘shopping’ for benefits. That fact is especially sobering when you realize employers are investing about $19,000 per employee – that’s a hasty choice equivalent to a brand new Chrysler 200! Employees are spending, on average, $4,000 out of their own pockets on benefits. We need to change the consumer mindset.”
Demystifying Engagement
The biggest challenge America faces today is engaging individuals in their own health and wellness. That includes everything from understanding their health insurance options to understanding and managing their health risks. Employers have the opportunity to help employees manage their well-being, which has favorable outcomes in employee engagement, production, presenteeism and reduced absenteeism.
The most realistic and reasonable solution to fixing the $2.5 trillion medical conundrum is helping employers aid their employees in taking shared responsibility for their health. “We feel true engagement needs to take place from an employee standpoint,” says Shanahan. “This is more than simply participating. This is taking an active role in personal health and wellness. We want companies to understand that the ripple effect engagement creates is powerful!”
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Businessolver is changing the way companies think about, view, enroll in and engage in benefits. They provide online benefits administration services and benefit administration outsourcing services to mid and large-market companies. Its unique web-based platform, Benefitsolver, automates employers’ insurance benefit administration by consolidating multiple insurance carriers into a single platform as well as customizing the process to meet employer’s unique enrollment requirements. Businessolver believes in delighted clients. For more information please go to www.businessolver.com.
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