Get Your Biz on a "Healthier" Track
Get Your Biz on a "Healthier" Track
Miguel Centeno is Aetna’s Vice President of Strategic Market Development in the Northeast Region.
http://www.aetnawomenatwork.com/default.aspx
When a female business owner is thinking about health benefits for her business, she could very well be looking at it from three completely different perspectives.
As a business owner, she needs to determine the best way to maximize the value of her health insurance dollars and provide health and financial security for what are likely her businesses most important assets – her employees. In addition, as an employer, she is fully aware that health benefits are a key component in attracting and retaining the best talent around. Last, but certainly not least, she has to consider how her choice of health benefits will impact her own personal situation, as well as that of her family in many instances.
When looking at this decision it from several unique perspectives, it can sometimes seem difficult or overwhelming to find one option that addresses all of these concerns. However, health insurers like Aetna understand the distinctive challenges that female business owners are faced with.
More than 75 percent of the approximately 32,500 Aetna employees are women. In addition, women hold 62 percent of management/supervisory positions at Aetna. Our diverse employee population helps us better understand women-owned businesses and create products and programs that meet their specific needs.
In addition to considering all of the different issues associated with choosing a health benefits plan for your business, there are a few different ways that a female business owner can be successful in selecting the right option:
Look for “add-on” programs that fit your employees’ needs. While most individuals are focused on the premiums and deductibles when deciding on a health benefits plan, it is important to factor in additional programs that could be very valuable to you and your employees. This could include programs such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which can help individuals manage life and work events, stress, behavioral conditions, and even mental illness.
If you own a business with a large female employee population, you also may want to consider a plan with programs designed specifically around women’s health care needs. This could include a maternity management program or helpful informational programs focused on appropriate breast health testing and screenings.
Communicate with your employees. Even if you do everything right in choosing a health benefits plan for your business, there is still one important element of the process that needs to be done to truly make it a success. You need to effectively communicate the plan to your employees and give them the information they need to allow them to get the most out of their health benefits.
Choose a company that has an effective suite of secure, easy-to-use online tools. This can include resources that allow employees to check their claims online, find medical providers in their area or just find general information on how to maximize their health benefits.
As you know, choosing a health insurance policy is about more than finding the plan with the lowest rates. It is a choice that can help protect your business, retain your top workers and provide security for the health and well-being of you and your family. With a decision that can have such a widespread impact, you should make sure that whatever you decide, you are working with a company that truly understands the unique needs of women-owned businesses.
