Creating a successful voluntary benefits (VB) program with the products, services and solutions your employees value is no easy task.
The VB marketplace is an entirely different sector than traditional core benefits. Each program and carrier come with unique requirements and regulations.
Having the expertise to navigate, procure, communicate and implement these programs can be overwhelming for many HR teams.
Recommended For You
With more than 20 years of experience, I have accumulated insights over the years that can help reduce the administrative burdens for HR, offer valuable programs to employees, and create a system where employees are actively engaged with those programs.
Here are three aspects I see as most crucial to creating a successful VB program.
Programs
Program selection is the first and most critical. There are two factors that need to be considered, the first is selecting programs that strategically complement your existing core medical plans.
Determine where potential financial gaps are for employees and look to provide programs that have a bridge for full coverage. Supplementing the core offerings with worksite benefits is a way to provide financial wellness tools to reduce out-of-pocket costs for employees.
The second factor to consider is offering programs that appeal to segments of your workforce — build personas that represent your workforce. Having a personal understanding of employees and their needs will help you build a matrix of programs that appeals to multiple, diverse, employee groups.
HR support
A well-executed VB program can bring tremendous value, but only if it is communicated and integrated correctly. It's critical that employees understand from HR leadership their VB options and how they align with core medical plans. T
he most successful VB programs are communicated and enrolled along side core health plans, which illustrates how they provide extended coverage. When companies position VB programs as an integral part of the employee benefit experience, employees are more likely to understand the value and appreciate the support provided by their employer.
Improving employee satisfaction positions you as a leading employer who understands the value of putting their workforce first.
Partnership with consulting firms
Don't go it alone. Engage with a firm that specializes in the design, communication, administration and deployment of VB programs. Having an expert on your side to navigate the vast selection of voluntary benefits is invaluable. The best consulting firms will be able to design communication strategies, integrated technology and provide reporting that will help reduce resources associated with managing such programs.
If you're working on a strategy to implement new VB programs or looking to boost existing programs make sure you follow the steps above to ensure you are on the right path towards success.
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
