Dive Brief:
- A new Aflac study found that employees are confident about their benefits plans even though many don't fully understand them. The 2017 Aflac WorkForces Report showed that 67% said they felt confident that they signed up for the right benefits.
- However, when asked about copays, deductibles and service providers in their network, only 24% of employees could give the correct answers about these details in their coverage. According to the report, employees' benefits knowledge has declined in the past two years, down from 47% in 2015 and 39% in 2016.
- Aflac's CHRO said in a statement that employers need to better educate workers on their benefits options, including coverage and costs.
Dive Insight:
Employees' lack of sufficient knowledge about their benefits may be unsettling, but it's no surprise. Other surveys have shown similar results.
But healthcare benefits are too costly for employees not to fully understand them. A recent survey showed that employees in high deductible health plans (HDHP) are missing important preventive care appointments because they don't know that these plans cover preventive care. That's right: ignorance could mean a missed appointment when it matters most.
Communicating benefits should be one of employers' top five priorities in benefits administration for 2017. Benefits administrators can address workers in small groups or individually. To carry out a communication plan cost-effectively, corporate communications departments can get involved by preparing digital communications for disseminating information. Some employers also enlist their brokers to address employees in group sessions.
