What are voluntary benefits?
Sometimes called supplemental insurance or employee-paid benefits, voluntary benefits are offered by employers through the workplace; allowing employees to choose to buy them in addition to the core employee benefits, such as medical insurance, they may get as part of a benefits package.
Voluntary benefits help cover expenses that may not be covered by traditional medical insurance. Now more than ever, employees are concerned with protecting themselves and their families from unforeseen events. Voluntary benefits provide an affordable and adaptable way for companies to respond.
They allow companies to offer a more comprehensive benefits package and give employees more choices to customize their coverage based on their personal and family needs — and can grow with them as those needs change over time. Payment options are typically flexible. To suit their budget, companies can choose whether voluntary employee benefits are fully employee-funded or a shared expense between both the employer and employees. In light of recent events, employees are acutely aware of the need for both medical and financial protections. They’re looking to fill the gaps in their medical benefits and for assistance from their employers to do so.
Enrollment Support To Make The Process Simple
Adding benefits does not create a more complicated enrollment. To the contrary, some voluntary benefits providers offer enrollment services, including enrolling your employees in their core benefits, as well. Options such as virtual enrollment allow benefits counselors to connect with your employees regardless of where your teams are located – including remotely- what shifts they work and what languages they speak. Counseling and enrollment often happen in tandem, and counselors can meet with employees in a number of ways.
- VIRTUAL –With online video meetings, counselors can build personal connections that help your employees make decisions tailored for their lives, no matter where they’re located.
- IN-PERSON –Counselors can visit workplaces, when safe to do so, and meet with employees in person to understand their needs and answer questions.
- TELEPHONIC –Whether your team is spread over numerous locations. multiple shifts or working remotely, counselors can work around their schedules to speak with them about their individual needs.
- ONLINE –Self-enrollment with online tools allows your employees to enroll at their convenience.