Getting familiar with integrated benefits

The trend toward benefits integration has been gaining traction for the last several years, with employers planning to increase the amount of integration over their current benefits programs, according to a 2010 survey of employers by Spring Consulting Group. With some employers achieving documented savings in lost time, direct costs, and return-to-work rates of 11 percent or more through their integrated programs, brokers and employers are beginning to recognize the value of benefits program integration.

Brokers play an important role in introducing their employer clients to benefits integration. Their knowledge of the spectrum of options available often provides the catalyst needed for a benefits or risk manager, CEO or CFO to consider implementing an integrated benefits program, with a goal of managing employee absence.