*I’m excited to collaborate with Premera Blue Cross to talk to you about health plans in the workplace. All opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.*
If you’ve ever had to obtain health insurance, you know that more often than not it’s a stressful process. There are so many options these days, all claiming to be the best, that even looking at a list of providers can make you go cross-eyed. Then, if you find one you like and that seems like an ideal candidate, you start to factor in things like premiums, deductibles, etc. and a headache starts building behind your eyes. Is it the right fit for you, can you comfortably afford the monthly cost? I know it is definitely a factor for us being my husband owns his own business with employees who deserve premiere healthcare coverage. As he knows, life disturbances come in the way of health problems and having a good health insurance to help his employees is absolutely vital!
When it comes to insurance, the information overload and pressure to pick the right provider/plan is a struggle all in itself. It’s one that I (as well as my husband) try to avoid like the plague but Premera Blue Cross has made a big name for themselves by breaking down the barriers that keep individuals, employees, and even employers from obtaining an insurance policy. These days, Premera Blue Cross is known as one of the largest health plan providers in the Pacific Northwest, and is able to serve over 2 million people, including individuals, families and employees. It is one health insurance company that can make a big difference to employees in my husband’s office.
For the last 80 years, Premera Blue Cross has made it a priority to make a difference and play an active role in local communities. Instead of creating barriers, they strive to make healthcare experiences positive while being kind and advocating for their customers. In short, Premera Blue Cross works hard to improve the lives of their customers by making healthcare work better.
COVID-19 has made the need for healthcare an even higher priority than ever before. The lives of millions have been drastically altered by this virus that has spread like wildfire. There have been deaths, layoffs, closings of entire businesses, bankruptcy, and so much more that has the world looking on in disbelief and shock.
One of the hardest impacts COVID-19 has had is the wide-spread loss of jobs, shut-downs, layoffs and business closures. Those companies who haven’t shut down have sent workers home to work, or revamped entire policies on safety precautions to ward against COVID-19. Hospital workers, and other essential employees have been overworked, and overstressed due to the demands placed on their shoulders.
Since COVID-19 began, Premera Blue Cross has engaged over 1,000 workers in Washington to understand how their employers have reacted to the pandemic. This research was able to shed necessary light on how workers across all industries and job levels are handling the pandemic and how it has affected their lives.
Their findings included 7 key items that include:
- Out of the 1,000 workers that were interviewed, it was found that twice as many people working outside of the home, compared to those who were working from home, felt that their employers were doing the bare minimum in response to COVID. 54.5% of those working outside of the home were more stressed about the risk of exposure compared to those able to work from home.
- Employees are now working harder than ever, according to 44% of interviewed workers.
- Anxiety is at an all-time high. Two-thirds of those interviewed reported levels of elevated anxiety while 27% reported levels of anxiety that were much higher than the start of the pandemic. Parents are also significantly more likely to say that their stress and anxiety levels have skyrocketed since the start of COVID. In total, 37% of the workers interviewed reported that they feel their mental health has declined since the start of the pandemic.
- Physical health has changed, with 27.3% of workers with children at home reporting that their physical health has improved compared to the 15.6% of those without children.
- 1 in 5 responders reported that, if given the opportunity, would switch jobs for one that provided better healthcare benefits because of how important they are while being in the middle of a pandemic.
- Of the workers that were interviewed, 60.2% of workers able to work from home reported back that they were high satisfied with being in-home. Of those working from home, 18.3% of them predicted being back at work outside of the home by the end of 2020. 1 out of 8 workers that are stationed at home don’t expect to be sent back to their station, ever.
- Last but certainly not least, 67.3% of workers interviewed that their employers should be providing financial support for things such as computer equipment, including adding in more monitors, printers and other office supplies. 58.1% want employers to support internet services or utilities.
It’s easy to forget how hard stress can hit others when you feel like your own stress is eating away at you. Employers can help make these trying times easier for their employees by doing simple things such as giving praise, expressing appreciation for hard work or even a small token like a bonus or gift card. I know in my husband’s office we are constantly doing this but more important than this, is allowing their employees to have good coverage. This is the most important!
The biggest and best way an employer (like myself) can help their employees with during this wide-spread pandemic is to start taking a look at available options for healthcare coverage. Premera Blue Cross partners with licensed sales agents, or producers, that are well-versed in their health plans and benefits. A simple phone call could make a world of difference to a family, or individual who is struggling in the thick of this COVID-19 pandemic we’re all going through. Check out Premera’s latest white paper about Post-Pandemic Business Resilience to learn how Premera Blue Cross business solutions can make a difference for you and your team.
If you are an employer like my husband and I, give Premera Blue Cross a call today to get started for your employees.
*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Premera Blue Cross. All opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.*
If you are an employer like my husband and I, give Premera Blue Cross a call today to get started for your employees.