Why Group Medical Benefits Matter for Your Business

When it comes to attracting and keeping great employees, group medical benefits are one of the most important tools a business can offer. Health coverage isn’t just a perk—it’s often the deciding factor for job seekers and a key reason employees choose to stay with an employer.

At Northern Insuring, we’ve seen firsthand how the right group medical plan can strengthen workplaces across the North Country by supporting both employee wellness and business success.

The Value of Group Medical Benefits

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 60% of Americans receive health insurance through their employer. That means businesses play a huge role in keeping employees and their families healthy.

Offering medical benefits can help your business:

• Attract top talent in a competitive job market

• Boost employee loyalty and reduce turnover

• Improve productivity, as healthier employees tend to miss fewer days

• Enhance company culture, showing employees you care about their well-being

Based on the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s (EBRI) 2024 Workplace Wellness Survey, health insurance remains the top benefit influencing employees’ decisions to stay with or leave a job. With 72% of workers naming it as a key factor in their employment choices. The survey also found that while only about one-third of employees currently have access to mental health benefits, two-thirds of those without them say they’d like to see options such as expanded mental health coverage, wellness resources, or access to a health coach or care navigator.

What to Consider When Choosing a Plan

Designing a group medical benefits plan that meets both your employees’ needs and your financial constraints requires careful consideration. Here are key factors:

Plan Structure & Type

You’ll want to compare common plan designs like HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). Each has trade-offs between cost, choice of providers, and flexibility. Some plans have narrower networks but lower premiums; others offer more provider freedom at a higher cost.

Cost Sharing & Premiums

Decide how much of the premium your business will cover. Be aware that employee contributions, co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums also matter. A plan that looks cheap on paper might be burdensome in practice if deductibles or co-insurance are high.

Network Access & Local Providers

Your employees should have access to trusted doctors, hospitals, and specialists—preferably locally. If a plan forces them to travel far for care, it decreases its perceived value.

Supplemental Services & Wellness Features

Modern medical benefits often include extras like telehealth, mental health services, wellness programs, or preventive care incentives. These make the package more attractive and usable—and may also reduce long-term health costs.

Scalability & Flexibility

As your business grows, your benefits should adapt. Look for plans that let you add employees, adjust contributions, or add features over time without drastic increases or plan changes.

You don’t have to figure all of this out alone. At Northern Insuring, we guide you step by step. We start by assessing your workforce and your budget to find the right balance. From there, we compare plan types and carriers so you get the most value. Our team also helps communicate benefits clearly so your employees understand and use them. And as your business grows, we continue to support you by adjusting coverage to meet your evolving needs.

Get Help When You Need It

Need help? Contact the team at Northern Insuring Agency. Our professionals are eager to assist you. They can help you identify which personal insurance policy is the best option.

In today's ever-changing world, having the right coverage is more important than ever.

Get in touch today for a quote! Northern Insuring will simplify the complicated world of insurance.