How do I decide which coverage tiers to offer (Employee Only, Employee + Spouse, Family, etc.)?

Choosing coverage tiers is about finding the right balance between access, affordability, and simplicity. The goal is to offer flexibility that meets real employee needs—without unnecessary complexity or cost.

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Here’s how to decide what makes sense for your workforce:

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• Start with your team’s makeup: Review who you’re covering today. Are most employees enrolling alone, or do many add dependents? Do spouses have other coverage? Understanding these trends ensures your tiers fit actual needs.

• Offer the most common tiers first: Many employers start with:
  
  • Employee Only: the most cost-effective and widely used.
  • Employee + Spouse: for households with one working partner.
  • Employee + Child(ren): for single parents or families with dependents.
  • Family: full household coverage.

Smaller teams may start with “Employee Only” and expand as participation grows.

• Balance inclusivity with simplicity: More tiers mean more flexibility, but also more administration. If your workforce is mostly individual coverage, a simple “Employee Only + Family” structure may be enough. Larger or more diverse teams often benefit from all four tiers.
• Define your contribution strategy: Decide how much you’ll contribute to each tier. Some employers fully fund “Employee Only” coverage and share costs for dependents; others offer a flat contribution across all tiers for predictable budgeting.
• Align tiers with your plan design: If using an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA), you can let employees choose their own plan while offering tier-based reimbursement amounts—providing flexibility without extra complexity.

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Vitable simplifies care for every coverage tier. Whether it’s Employee Only or Family coverage, every member gets $0 access to primary care, mental health support, prescriptions, and urgent visits, virtually or in-home. Employers can layer dependent coverage or ICHRA funding on top for added flexibility.

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Design tiers that reflect your team, not tradition. Keep contribution levels clear, start simple, and ensure every employee and family has easy access to affordable, everyday care. With Vitable as the foundation, every tier delivers the same consistent, high-quality experience.

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