Home: Message List - Event: Health care benefits for your small biz

Event: Health care benefits for your small biz

SBOCTeam — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:48:36 GMT

Join Regina Hunter from Aetna on Tuesday, February 10th, from 2:00 - 3:00 EST, as she discusses how to help maintain the health of a successful small business.

By offering health benefits, small business owners can accomplish a number of important goals, such as attracting and retaining talented employees, enhancing the well-being of these employees and increasing overall workplace productivity.

In today's challenging economic environment, more and more employers are considering consumer-directed plans, which give members a more active role in his or her health care decisions, and also give small business owners greater flexibility, as they are able to control costs while at the same time offer attractive benefit options.

Small business owners have an opportunity to invest in their business by helping their employees improve their health. So in addition to the plans offered, it is crucial for business owners to look at wellness programs, services and tools offered with their health care plan.

Questions to ask during this forum include:

How do I choose the best plan for my situation?
Are there any tax benefit plans to help save money on health care?
How can I maximize my health care plan and stretch the dollar?
What positive impacts can I potentially see by offering health benefits to employees?

Regina Hunter is Head of Field Management for Aetna's Small and Middle Market (ASM) business. In this role, she is responsible for providing strategic direction to the field sales and account management organization. Regina and her team work closely to analyze and position Aetna to effectively distribute affordable products and innovative solutions that appeal to employers, employees and brokers.

Previously, Regina was Head of Small Group Product Strategy and Market Support for ASM, responsible for product development, training, and distribution strategy. Prior to that, Regina was the General Manager for small group in the Southwest region, with full profit and loss responsibility.

Re: Live Event: Health care benefits for your small biz

SBOCTeam — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:26:48 GMT

Regina, thank you for your time and very professional responses today. We truly appreciate it!

Community, our time with Regina has concluded. We hope Regina sparked a lot of interest in implementing health care into your small business.

For more information on today's topic, please visit http://www.aetna.com

Stay healthy!

The SBOC Team

Re: Live Event: Health care benefits for your small biz

ReginaHunter — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:19:44 GMT

Thank you for letting me participate in your online forum. In order for small businesses to be successful, they need to find loyal and talented employees. Providing health benefits to employees helps small business owners attract and retain talented employees; in many cases, small business owners do not offer health insurance, which can be key differentiator.

Aetna is committed to be part of the solution when it comes to healthcare reform in our country. I encourage you to engage in the healthcare reform discussions that are ongoing at both the federal and state levels.

At Aetna, we believe that:

Every American should have access to affordable health care with the best possible results
Transforming the U.S. health care system is a shared responsibility that requires leadership and collaboration
Universal coverage is possible only when there is universal participation
A competitive marketplace is the foundation for comprehensive health care reform
People need access to information, technology, and support to make wise health care decisions

Working together we can build a health future for all of us.

Thanks again. Have a great day!

Re: Event February 10: Health care benefits for your small biz

ReginaHunter — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:13:08 GMT

Hi, New Jersey,

Carriers offer a variety of discount programs to their members. Some of the programs Aetna offers on small group plans include:

Eye Care Savings Program -offers special savings on eye exams not covered under the base medical plan. The discounts can be realized on frames, lenses and other eye care accessories.
Fitness Program -provides special membership rates at participating fitness clubs, as well as discounts on equipment and videos.
Weight Management Program - Through these programs, members can receive discounts on services to help them maintain their health through discounted memberships, one-on-one weight loss counseling, menu planning and motivational materials.
Natural Products and Services - offer reduced rates on alternative therapies, including visits to acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists and nutritional counselors. You can also save on over-the-counter vitamins and nutritional and herbal supplements.

Small businesses will benefit by seeing improved productivity plus the increased employee satisfaction in the extra programs and services health carriers offer. Employers can better manage health care costs by providing access to a variety of resources. In addition, Aetna offers our small employers access to the Aetna Resource Connection program. This allows us to share our negotiated discounts with a variety of vendors providing goods and services to meet your business needs. For more information, please go to http://www.aetnaresourceconnection.com.

Re: Live Event: Health care benefits for your small biz

SBOCTeam — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:05:06 GMT

Regina,

Do you have any words of wisdom or some last thoughts to leave with the Community?

Re: Event February 10: Health care benefits for your small biz

ReginaHunter — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:02:24 GMT

Hi, Vince,

Rather than focus on common mistakes, I would like to provide some things that small business owners should consider when shopping for benefits for their employees:

1. Although price is important, employers should look to maximize the value they are getting for the dollars they are investing. For example, select a company that is easy to do business with, evaluate the online services available to help you administer your plans, consider the value-added programs and services to keep employees healthy and productive, etc. The least expensive option may not always be the best.
2. Do your homework. Access information online or work with a broker to evaluate your options.
3. Go with a reputable carrier.
4. No plan is perfect, but you can select one that protects your employees from catastrophic losses, while providing them access to preventive services to keep them healthy and on the job.
5. Don't forget other benefits such as dental, life and disability that work together with your medical plan to maintain the overall health of your employees and your business.

Re: Event February 10: Health care benefits for your small biz

ReginaHunter — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:36:55 GMT

Hi Chrysalis,

I'm sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with your current coverage. You may want to compare the plans offered by all individual carriers in your area. Aetna, as well as other carriers, offers a variety of individual plans to meet your needs and fit your budget.

In some states, sole-proprietors are protected under small group reform legislation so there may be a small group option that works for you. Bottom line--you should evaluate all options. If you don't currently work with an insurance broker, you may want to engage one for assistance and guidance in finding the best plan for you.

Good luck!

Re: Event February 10: Health care benefits for your small biz

ReginaHunter — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:25:16 GMT

Thanks for your question, StonesThrow,

In the majority of states, small groups are guaranteed issue and legitimate small groups, as defined by the legislation, cannot be turned away. Many states, however, do allow for premium adjustments based on various factors--one of those being industry type--but the adjustment is usually minimal. Each carrier will rate industries differently based on the standard industry classification code for your business. Contact your broker or the carriers directly for more information.

Re: Event February 10: Health care benefits for your small biz

SBOCTeam — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:32:37 GMT

We're half way through the hour. Make sure you get your questions in so that Regina has time to respond.

Re: Event February 10: Health care benefits for your small biz

ReginaHunter — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:00:54 GMT

Hi RockBand (my kids would love your name!)

Good question. Let's first discuss why health insurance is available - it's to cover members against catastrophic loss. Then comes what you can add on to the health plan to help you and your employees. Your broker can help you narrow down the plan that makes the most sense for your unique situation. If you want to do some research on your own, you can go to http://www.planforyourhealth.com for information on healthcare benefits. As a general rule of thumb though, you will need to determine how much you can afford for the overall premiums and then look at the value in helping your employees, such as:

Coverage
Convenience
Decision support tools
Ease of access
Flexibility in access to providers
Option for savings account

You can start by ranking the above in priority order and as mentioned, your broker should be able to help you find the best plan for your company. I hope this helps you!