Updated on November 29, 2023
As healthcare costs and regulations continue to grow, benefits portals are no longer a “nice to have” for employers. They’re a critical tool in managing and tracking employee benefits.
While employer benefit portals have been available for years, now is the time for employers to actively be logging in and using them. Here are 4 reasons why:
1. Security
With hacking and data breaches on the rise, employers can’t afford to send employees’ personal health information (PHI) through unsecure means. Benefit portals are secure, HIPAA-compliant, and regularly monitored for data protection. As a result, employers should use the portal’s Secure Mailbox to send employee PHI, rather than regular email. They should also submit employee enrollment details through Online Enrollment, rather than on a paper form that could get into the wrong hands. Benefit portals are built for security. As a result, employers should use them to protect employees’ PHI and themselves from the headache of a breach.
2. Accessibility
Employees with disabilities deserve easier access to their benefits information, but not every website makes this information easily accessible to them. This leaves Employers trying to find other alternatives for sharing information, while also wanting to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other legislation. When Employers use benefit portals that follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), they won’t just have the ease of sharing information in one place. They’ll also have peace knowing the information is accessible to employees with a diverse set of accessibility needs.
3. Healthcare Cost Management
There are many proposed strategies for controlling healthcare costs, but how do employers know if the strategies are working? By logging in and seeing for themselves. Benefit portals have analytical reports that summarize claims activity, spending trends, and how well a plan is performing. Employers can access these reports on demand, enabling them to monitor results and quickly work to make health plan changes. As employers prioritize controlling healthcare costs, they should leverage their online tools to track the financial success of their employee healthcare plan.
4. Employee Benefits Support
Let’s face it. Health insurance is a complicated topic. A recent Accenture survey showed 52% of employees to be “healthcare illiterate”. As a result, employers should use their portal to educate employees about their benefit plan and how to use it. Whether it’s showing employees their deductible details, printing an ID card for them, or sharing the telemedicine options, employers can help their employees become more engaged with their benefits.
Benefit portals satisfy several needs in today’s healthcare and employee benefits industries. Wise employers will use them to be more attentive to security, compliance, healthcare cost management, and in helping employees get the most out of their benefit plan.
To see firsthand how our benefits portal helps employers manage and adapt to industry trends, schedule a demo.