Helping employees get the most out of their health plan

Small business owners are concerned about their employees and the economic challenges they’re facing. Here are some ways employees can find more value in their benefits.


From groceries to car repairs, the costs of many staple goods and services have risen sharply in recent years, with prices coming in more than 20% higher in September 2024 compared to early 2020.1 As a result, about 1 in 6 people say they are unable to pay all their monthly bills in full.2

When money is tight, it can also impact when — and whether — people seek health care. In fact, 1 in 4 adults say they have skipped or postponed getting medical care during the past 12 months due to cost concerns.3

Recognizing that this could potentially lead to adverse health outcomes and higher costs long term, many employers are worried about the financial toll their employees are under and how it may be impacting their health care decisions. In fact, 82% of benefits decision-makers feel concerned about their employees’ costs.4

This is especially true for small business owners who tend to see many of their employees daily, says John Terry, national vice president of small business for UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual.

“Small business owners are really attuned to their employee population. They want to offer the best benefits they can afford while also making sure that their employees aren’t having problems accessing or affording the care and benefits that they need.”

— John Terry, National Vice President, Small Business, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual

Understanding how much their employees’ costs matter to small business owners — those who employ 100 people or fewer — UnitedHealthcare is working to help those employees and their families get the most out of their health plan. This includes offering:

  1. Vital medications with $0 out-of-pocket costs: Members can obtain critical medications — including insulin, epinephrine and albuterol — at no additional cost.
  2. $0 24/7 Virtual Visits:5 Small business employees can connect anytime with a vetted provider via video or phone through the UnitedHealthcare® app or myuhc.com® — with no copay.
  3. Care Cash®: Employees of small businesses who offer a fully insured plan can use Care Cash — a preloaded debit card with up to $500 for family coverage that can be used to help pay toward cost-sharing for eligible network health care expenses. Plus, unused funds roll over each plan year.    
  4. Health savings accounts (HSAs): A personal bank account to help employees and their families save and pay for covered health care services and qualified medical expenses. 
  5. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): An EAP gives small business employees easy access to behavioral health, financial and legal support. For example, an EAP can offer members the ability to speak with a behavioral health specialist as often as needed, any time of day.
  6. Advocacy support: UnitedHealthcare advocates help employees and their families navigate the system and connect dots where it matters most, with the goal of ensuring they are receiving the most appropriate and cost-effective care possible.

There’s plenty of value in members’ plans to be realized, but it requires employees to be aware of and to understand all the benefits that are available to them.

“We know that many of our members find the cost-saving features integrated into plans really valuable,” Terry says. “But we also know that details can get lost or be overlooked.”

That’s why it’s important for employers to proactively communicate the value of these benefit offerings to employees throughout the year, not just during open enrollment. And while this does require businesses to invest time and energy, the potential ROI of better health outcomes, lower costs and an employee experience that may boost retention rates can be worth it.

Here are some simple ideas that may help drive employee engagement

Leverage the power of the leader’s voice. Employees are more likely to pay attention to information that comes directly from the company’s leader.

Send regular emails that inform and encourage. Detail health care benefits and programs so that employees are primed to take advantage of them.

Highlight benefits in person. Discuss benefit offerings during employee meetings.

Provide additional resources. Encourage employees to register and use the UnitedHealthcare® app and myuhc.com

“I want small business owners to know that we care. We care about protecting their bottom line, and we care about helping their employees — our members — get the most out of their health plan. That matters to us.”

— John Terry, National Vice President, Small Business, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual

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