How can we help employees better understand and use the benefits we design?

Even the best health plan will not succeed if employees do not understand how to use it. The key is to simplify communication, focus on clarity instead of jargon, and make it easy for employees to access care. When benefits feel simple and personal, employees are much more likely to engage.

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Lead with simplicity, not insurance language
Most employees think in terms of care and cost, not deductibles or coinsurance.

• Use plain language. For example, say “You can see a doctor anytime for $0,” rather than “Preventive care is covered at 100 percent.”
• Add real-life examples such as “If you wake up with the flu, here’s what to do.”
• Keep all materials short, visual, and actionable.

Tip: Focus every message on how employees can use their care today, not on how insurance works.

Provide step-by-step guidance for accessing care
Employees use benefits more when they know exactly where to go and what to do.

• Explain the proper order: Primary care → urgent care → emergency room.
• Share direct links, apps, and contact information for booking or virtual visits.

Best practice: Give every employee a one-page “How to Use Your Benefits” guide at onboarding and during open enrollment.

Communicate year-round, not just during open enrollment
Keep benefits visible throughout the year with:

• Seasonal reminders such as “Flu season is here, book your $0 primary care visit.”
• Short texts or emails about preventive care, virtual visits, or mental health resources.
• Quick Q&A sessions or short videos to refresh understanding.

Impact: Consistent, bite-sized communication builds awareness and increases engagement.

Leverage technology for access and simplicity
Make it easy for employees to use benefits anytime and anywhere.

• Use mobile apps or online platforms for booking, chatting, and virtual visits.
• Offer digital ID cards and same-day scheduling for a seamless experience.

Result: The easier it is to get care, the more employees will use it.

Personalize communications by employee group
Tailor messages to address different needs.

• Hourly workers: Emphasize quick, affordable access with minimal time off.
• Families: Provide clarity around dependents and preventive care.
• Younger employees: Highlight convenience and virtual options.
  Personalized outreach shows that you understand and support employee priorities.

Empower HR and managers as benefits ambassadors
When HR and management teams understand the plan, they can reinforce it every day.

• Provide short training sessions or “cheat sheets” for common questions.
• Encourage managers to share reminders during team meetings.

Impact: Trusted voices build understanding, trust, and participation.

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Vitable makes healthcare intuitive and easy to use. Employees receive $0 primary care, mental health, and prescription access through one simple platform. With no deductibles, copays, or network confusion, employees always know where to go for care and actually use their benefits.

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Employees engage when benefits are clear, simple, and built around real-life needs. Communicate in plain language, educate throughout the year, and make care easy to access. With Vitable’s $0 primary-care-first model, you can transform your benefits from something employees simply have into something they truly use and value.

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