Health plans that help meet employees on the road
From the cab to the dock, trucking and warehousing workers face distinct health risks. Employees need benefits that meet them wherever they are.
Trucking and warehousing employees keep goods moving, but the nature of that work may make it harder for them to prioritize their health. This workforce is largely male, with most workers between the ages of 30 and 54.1 Many employees in this industry spend long hours on the road, in service roles or in physically demanding warehouse environments.1
The day-to-day realities of this workforce can show up in health behaviors and outcomes. Employees who are frequently on the road may delay preventive care, rely more on the emergency room (ER) and have a harder time managing conditions tied to lifestyle, sleep, nutrition and physical strain.
In fact, UnitedHealthcare data shows employees in this sector have lower preventive care use, a 14% higher rate of ER utilization and a higher tendency to not seek care at all, with 10% having no claims in the past 2 years.2
Given the realities of work on the road and in the warehouse, the challenge is not just offering benefits — it is making them easier to access, understand and use.
Health benefits for the long haul
1. Support care that travels with employees
For employees who split their time between the road, warehouses and service locations, access to care needs to be flexible. A medical plan with a national network and virtual care options can help make support easier to reach when schedules or locations change. Adding a health savings account (HSA) may also help employees plan for eligible health care expenses and feel more prepared when costs arise.
2. Help employees know where to start
Primary care can be an important entry point for employees who may not always know where to start. Helping employees connect with a primary care provider (PCP) gives them a place to ask questions, keep up with preventive screenings and get support for health concerns before they become more serious. Employers can reinforce that behavior through plan designs, network options and communications that make primary care feel practical and worthwhile.
3. Support access to behavioral health
Behavioral health support may be more effective when it feels easy to access and relevant to employees’ day-to-day lives. Employers can help by offering multiple ways to get support, including virtual and in-person options, and by sharing resources that speak to common stressors like long hours, sleep challenges and time away from home. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and mental health champions can also help reduce stigma by making support feel more visible and approachable.
4. Turn benefit awareness into action
When employees are less likely to use health care, the first step may be making benefits easier to understand and easier to act on. On-site support, such as clinics or nurses, may help remove some of the friction that keeps employees from seeking care. Clear, timely and targeted communications can also make a difference by reminding employees what is available and how those resources can help.
5. Support healthier choices on and off the road
Small health actions can add up, especially when employees have extra encouragement to get started. Programs that incentivize employees for certain healthy behaviors may help motivate employees to build healthier routines, while wellness offerings focused on nutrition, weight management and tobacco cessation can support longer-term behavior change. For a workforce facing long hours and limited healthy options on the road, simple and achievable steps may be especially important.
Choosing a carrier with the expertise to deliver
As employers evaluate health plan options, the question becomes whether a carrier can help meet the realities of this workforce — not just offer coverage. Trucking and warehousing employees may need benefits that can travel with them, support earlier care and make it easier to navigate physical, behavioral and financial health needs. UnitedHealthcare brings the scale, data-driven insights and whole-person approach to help employers design plans that are practical for employees and aligned to business goals.
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