Annual checkups and financial wellness: 2 checklists to help employees get the most from health care benefits

Employees who misunderstand their benefits might miss out on free screenings and checkups that could prevent serious, expensive health complications in the long run. (Photo: Shutterstock)

In the United States, the average employee receives 8.2% of their compensation in the form of health insurance. It costs their employer an average of $6,972 per year. Yet, few employees take full advantage of their insurance and other health benefits. They often overpay for poor quality or inappropriate care, as we’ve discovered through analyzing over 19 billion de-identified health insurance claims at Amino. Essentially, people misuse or forfeit 8.2% of their compensation. But why?

HR teams do an excellent job of getting employees signed up for health insurance, but helping employees understand how their benefits work—and reminding them how to use them throughout the year—often receives less time and attention. Employees who misunderstand their benefits could be more likely to visit expensive emergency rooms and urgent care clinics. They may also miss out on free screenings and checkups that could prevent serious, expensive health complications in the long run.