Should we offer multiple plan options (e.g., base + buy-up) or just one streamlined plan?

It depends on your workforce, but in most cases, less is more. A few well-structured choices make benefits easier to understand and use, while too many options can create confusion and lower engagement.

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Here’s how to decide what works best for your team:

• Start with your workforce profile: If most employees have similar needs and income levels, a single streamlined plan keeps things simple and consistent. If you have a wide mix of family situations, ages, or budgets, a base + buy-up option can offer flexibility without overwhelming people.
• Focus on the foundation: Every plan should include affordable, built-in primary care—that’s what drives preventive care and reduces ER visits. From there, “buy-up” plans can layer in extras like out-of-network coverage, hospital indemnity, or richer prescription benefits.
• Keep differences clear: If you offer multiple plans, make sure employees understand how each one differs in cost, coverage, and convenience. Two or three clear options are ideal; more than that can lead to decision fatigue.
• Consider CHOICE (ICHRA): For employers who want flexibility without managing multiple plans, a CHOICE (Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense Arrangement), previously known as ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement), can be a great solution. Employees choose their own plan, while you provide a fixed, tax-free reimbursement. Pairing a CHOICE with a primary-care solution like Vitable ensures everyone still has $0 everyday care access.

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Vitable simplifies care for every plan design. Whether you offer one plan or several, every employee gets $0 access to primary care, mental health support, prescriptions, and urgent visits, keeping care consistent and affordable across your workforce.

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Offer choice where it matters most. A clear, simple base plan (with the option to buy up or use a CHOICE for added flexibility) balances affordability, accessibility, and clarity. When employees understand their options and can easily access care, engagement and satisfaction rise.

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