Employers may think they’re doing a lot, but that’s not how employees see it; 44 percent of employees say their employer doesn’t offer opportunities beyond health benefits for employees to meet their health goals. And despite whatever educational efforts employers make regarding employee benefits, 35 percent of employees either only somewhat understand, don’t understand or know nothing about their health care coverage. In addition, 33 percent of respondents don’t understand their medical bills—which can be pretty scary, given the way the cost of care keeps escalating. “In the U.S., we spend more than $10,000 per person per year on health care, which adds up to more than $3.5 trillion. This i

• 34% of U.S. workers are engaged, tying highest in Gallup's history • "Actively disengaged" percentage is down to 13%, a new low • Engagement is highly related to positive business outcomes The percentage of "engaged" workers in the U.S. -- those who are involved in, enthusiastic about and committed to their work and workplace -- is now 34%, tying its highest level since Gallup began reporting the national figure in 2000. The percentage who are "actively disengaged" -- workers who have miserable work experiences -- is now at its lowest level (13%), making the current ratio of engaged to actively disengaged employees 2.6-to-1 -- the highest ever in Gallup tracking. These findings

Heart attack, stroke, cancer and other illnesses can affect not only your health but also your bank account; medical expenses reportedly lead to more than half of all bankruptcies in the United States. When faced with a severe illness and the accompanying medical costs, critical illness insurance can help. What Is Critical Illness Insurance? Critical illness insurance is offered as a voluntary benefit by some employers to supplement your regular medical coverage, and can be purchased individually. This insurance is designed to cover out-of pocket expenses not covered by your health insurance, such as your deductible and co-pays as well as many out-of-network charges. Illness can often lead t

To drive engagement and improve company culture, HR teams should address these three areas. A recent poll from Gallup connected employee engagement to workplace benefits—and it’s time for your team to get on board. To get started, there are three benefits that HR teams should address to improve company culture in the new year: perks, financial resources and well-being. Fortunately, “rethinking” these employee benefits don’t always mean spending more, just thinking differently. 1. Accept that perks are superficial. Examine the budget for those big, expensive holiday parties. How could that money be better distributed? The ROI on a holiday party is merely a short-term boost in engagement. Ins

Healthcare and insurance costs continue to rise and most believe this upward trend will continue. Cost increases affect individuals, employers and their employees. Some employers absorb these annual increases, but others are forced to pass the expense to their employees. As Americans look for ways to afford healthcare, many turn to a Health Savings Account (HSA) qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Generally, these plans have lower premiums and lower out of pocket limits than traditional health insurance options. The HDHP can be a good choice, especially for those with minimal medical expenses or those with large annual medical expenses. The trade-off of lower premiums may be off