Health Insurance Benefits to Enhance Workplace Wellness

We all know that health coverage is essential. Don’t overlook the value-added benefits and services that may come with small or large group coverage. Such benefits not only promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles, but can help boost attendance, morale and retention.

“Also, when people feel appreciated and healthy, quality of work can potentially increase,” said Debbie Lancto, Manager of Well-Being Services.

Employer plans are increasingly focusing on employee well-being and long-term health beyond coverage when they’re sick and need to visit a hospital or clinic. These types of benefits are increasingly important in retaining and hiring employees.

Wellness Benefits for Employees

Depending on the plan you select through Avera Health Plans, your employees could have access to benefits like these at no extra cost:

• Well-being programs such as LiveNOW
• Virtual visits for urgent care needs and behavioral health
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fitness center incentives
• Pharmacy benefits

The value-added services that are included with small and large group health insurance plans give employees a bonus benefit to make health goals.

Communicate to your employees about what’s available to them. Better yet — be an example by utilizing opportunities, such as LiveNOW challenges or the fitness center incentive.

Avera’s Fitness Center Incentive

Do you have employees that attend the gym regularly? Avera’s fitness center incentive keeps them motivated with discounted and rewards. Some participating gyms contracted with Avera Health Plans include: GreatLIFE Fitness Club; Avera McKennan Fitness Center, which is a GreatLIFE center; and Avera Sacred Heart Wellness Center in Yankton. The ActiveLife program, which provides reimbursement for gym attendance, may also be available to employees

These types of incentives can also benefit companies over time. Healthier employees mean fewer sick days and less potential for lost productivity.

LiveNOW to Better Health

LiveNOW provides a wealth of interactive resources to your employees. With fun and personal goal-setting on the forefront, employees can participate in:

• Six health coaching sessions
• Health screenings, sometimes offered at worksite (offered to large groups)
• Worksite educational seminars (offered to large groups)
• Online health risk assessment
• Health challenges for personal goals, including weight loss and diet
• Access to a dedicated well-being specialist

The LiveNOW online wellness portal allows employees to track their progress and keep in touch with their well-being specialist, who offers encouragement along their journey.

Virtual Visits for Urgent Care and Behavioral Health

When your employees download the Avera Health Plans Virtual Visits** app, they can talk to a provider 24/7 via smartphone video call at no cost. This option is useful for simple illnesses, such as flu or sinus infections.

This now also extends to mental health care virtual visits for members. Employees can talk to licensed therapists and board-certified psychiatrists, weekdays, weekends and evenings to help address a number of concerns ranging from anxiety and depression to life transitions or panic attacks. These appointments are through the virtual visits app and do not use Avera providers.

Employee Assistance Program

Avera EAP offers confidential counseling sessions with a licensed mental health professional at no cost for employees of South Dakota or Iowa small group Affordable Care Act employer plans, spouses and eligible dependents. EAP can help with issues such as parenting, marital counseling, balancing work and home life, depression, grief and more.

Employees and their family members each have access to a total of three EAP visits every year. These visits are available to all of your employees even if the employee opts not to enroll in coverage from Avera Health Plans.

Other groups have the option to offer the EAP benefit for their employees at an additional cost. A five-visit model would be available.

Pharmacy Benefits

With Avera Health Plans Rx, employees enjoy a large pharmacy network – including Avera pharmacies, most local pharmacies and 56,000 pharmacies nationwide – and tools to help find savings options. Employees can take advantage of prescription savings with their Avera Pharmacy card, as well as home delivery and mail order options.

Weight Management

Avera Health Plans offers tailored plans for your employees who have weight management goals. MyWeighForward health insurance plans cover health care services like other plans do, but also give people access to health coaching and weight loss medications to be successful in weight loss. To qualify for weight loss coverage, employees must meet certain criteria. These plans are currently only available in Brown, Lincoln and Minnehaha counties in South Dakota.

Need Comprehensive Employer Health Insurance Benefits?

Shop small and large group plans or call 605 504-3362 with questions about plan options. 

Already Have a Plan?

Learn about your wellness benefits

*Only available to commercial groups.

**For most members. Some limitations apply.