By David Faro
Thinking about benefits packages? Articles usually recommend various strategies for retaining employees. Generally, in most stories, benefits are brought up as a No. 1 way to attract staff and keep them in-house. If you are currently taking another look at your benefits structures, the Washington Hospitality Association offers a wide range of programs for association members to take advantage of.
To make it even easier, the Washington Hospitality Association has recently put all the member benefit options in one place. By visiting healthcarewashington.org, members can quickly find the information they need regarding association health care solutions. You can get information by viewing the site and then follow up by talking with our association benefits specialist. No one needs to buy the whole enchilada either. Stand-alone programs like dental and employee assistance can be combined to complement an existing benefits structure. But if you don’t know what’s available, you won’t be able to make the best choices when putting your benefits packages together.
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Below are a few of the options on the association health care solutions menu. After you read this, go to the web and check out the rest. And don’t forget, as the title implies, what is on the association menu is more than medical.
As an example of the cutting-edge services available through the association, consider telemedicine and direct primary care.
Telemedicine
It can be hard for employees to take time out of the day to see a physician. And, in areas where the provider network is limited, telemedicine can be a good supplement to visiting a physician. If communicated appropriately, telemedicine plans can also provide employees who tend to rely more on the ER and urgent care with a much less expensive alternative for after-hours care.
While telemedicine does not replace your primary physician, it is a convenient and affordable option for quality care in many situations, such as:
When you need care now.
If you’re considering the ER or urgent care for a non-emergency issue.
On vacation, on a business trip, or away from home.
For short-term prescription refills.
Coverage can be purchased on a stand-alone basis. There is no deductible and no copay (except when used with Health Savings Account plans).
Direct Primary Care
Direct Primary care (DPC) is not insurance. It is, however, an affordable option for individuals, families and employers to receive quality, local personal medical care. With unlimited access to primary care, no co-pays, same-day/next-day appointments and the ability to schedule visits that meet your needs, the DPC model can be a good fit for those seeking alternative health care options. Coverage is available at a flat rate of $89/person/month for association members.
Dental
Association members have multiple dental options to choose from. Plans can be 100 percent voluntary or sponsored with as few as two enrolled employees, making it affordable for you to offer dental coverage to your employees no matter your budget.
Vision
A vision plan is a popular employee benefit. Our health care solutions program has several plans available. Options include a reimbursement plan, several vision networks (chain and independent), access to discounts on laser surgery and the ability to offer more than one plan to employees. Plans maybe be employer paid, employee paid or a combination of both.
Employee Assistance
Employers have a vested interest in the ability of employees to work at or close to their full potential. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are valuable resources that can help employees cope with issues affecting their ability to reach that potential. Marital and family problems, conflicts among co-workers and managers, depression, substance abuse, work-related stress, legal and financial issues, and child and elder care needs are just some of the concerns affecting employees’ well-being. These distractions may hurt productivity and drive up costs for businesses. The health care system cannot always handle these types of issues, especially those—such as needs for financial counseling or elder care help—that are not health related.
EAPs are cost-effective tools to mitigate these risks. EAPs can help employers reduce absenteeism, workers’ compensation claims, health care costs, accidents and grievances. In addition, they can address safety and security issues, improve employee productivity and engagement and reduce costs related to employee turnover.
Pharmacy Discount Cards
Offer one or both of our pharmacy discount cards to your staff and their families, absolutely free. The cards are a great option for prescriptions not covered through insurance plans, for supplementing high deductible plans and for part-time staff that are not eligible for medical benefits. Cards are available to print directly from the healthcarewashington.org website and start using immediately.
These are just a few of the multiple benefit options available to businesses through their association membership. It is the association’s goal to provide access to the highest performing programs available while at the same time providing cost savings for our members, and for that reason alone you should check out the new web portal.
If any of the above piqued your interest, the next step is to find out more by visiting healthcarewashington.org or by calling our Washington Hospitality Benefits Specialist at 877-246-0545. We are excited to share all the options available to you. We have programs that cover many benefits, so remember the association, remember our menu, and don’t forget, it’s more than medical.
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