Health insurance is vital for employees. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “Employers with 50 or more workers who do not offer coverage will face a penalty of $2,000 per employee starting in 2016.” Furthermore, “Employers with fewer than 25 workers who don’t offer coverage will be exempt from penalties.”
This situation makes it vital for businesses of all sizes to provide their employees with health insurance. The cost of not doing so can be very high in terms of money and lost productivity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “The indirect costs of illness and injury include work loss, reduced productivity while at work, and premature death. These costs totaled $576.6 billion in 2009, or nearly $2,000 for every man, woman, and child in the United States.”
Providing health insurance is not only the correct path for employee benefits from a moral standpoint, but it is also financially prudent. However, it should not be all there is to health-related incentives. Here are a few things to add to employee benefits besides health insurance.
Health and Wellness Programs
Health and wellness programs are a great way to incentivize employees to take care of themselves. These programs can include anything from on-site fitness facilities to health club memberships. They can also include nutrition, stress management, and smoking cessation seminars, among other topics.
Those programs can help employees maintain their health and improve their productivity. In a study by the American Council on Exercise, “employees who participated in wellness programs had 28 percent fewer sick days, 26 percent fewer doctor visits, and 30 percent lower healthcare costs compared to those who did not participate.”
Make it easy for employees to take advantage of these programs by offering them during work hours or providing transportation to and from the activities. Employees participating in these programs are more likely to be healthy and productive. They will also have less need for sick days, saving the company money.
Free Dental Consultations
While health insurance coverage might cover most of an employee’s medical needs, it might not cover dental needs. It can be a problem for employees, as dental issues can lead to other health problems.
Consider offering free dental consultations to incentivize employees to care for their teeth. These consultations can include cleaning, x-rays, and a check-up. They can also advise on how to care for teeth and prevent cavities.
Free dental consultations will help employees maintain oral health and avoid future problems. They will also appreciate the company’s concern for their well-being. Unfortunately, you might not have free offers for dental procedures. Employees who need dental implant services might have to pull cash out of their pockets. Fortunately, you can partner with a reliable dental implant specialist to provide discounts for your employees. The benefits of dental implant procedures are plenty, and your employees will be grateful for the company’s consideration.
Time Off for Doctor’s Appointments
While most health insurance plans have some coverage for doctor’s visits, out-of-pocket costs can still be. These costs can add up, especially if an employee has a chronic condition.
To help employees with these costs, consider offering time off for doctor’s appointments. This way, they will not have to use their vacation days or take unpaid leave. They can also see the doctor during work hours, which can be more convenient than visiting the doctor after work.
Offering time off for doctor’s appointments is a great way to show employees that you care about their health. It also saves the company money, as employees will likely stay healthy and avoid costly medical bills. The incentive will be powerful enough to attract and retain the best employees.
Subsidized Childcare
Employees with young children often face high childcare costs. These costs can be a financial burden, especially for low-income families.
Consider subsidizing childcare costs for your employees. It will help them afford quality care for their children. It will also allow them to focus on their work, as they will not have to worry about the cost of childcare.
Subsidized childcare is a great way to show employees that you care about their families. It is also a good investment, as it can help employees be more productive at work. There will be a lot of paperwork to process, but it is worth it in the end.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to incentivize employees to maintain their health. These incentives can help improve employee productivity and save the company money. They can also show employees that you care about their well-being. Please choose the right benefits for your company; your employees will surely appreciate it.
