MANAGING OVERHEAD COSTS? CHOOSE A STABLE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

The following information was released by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber:

Achieving long-term success is a goal of many small businesses, including yours. But overhead costs can make this challenging. Every business incurs overhead costs. One way to manage these expenses is by reducing certain costs, such as health insurance. Consider asking yourself questions like:

"Are my employees getting what they need from their health insurance plan?"

"Is there a lower-cost option with comparable health coverage?"

"Are there benefits or services in our current plan we're not utilizing?"

Choosing the right health insurance plan can help lower your business costs while still providing valuable benefits to you and your employees.

The role health insurance plays in overhead costs

Overhead costs are expenses that support your business but aren't directly associated with a product or service you sell. They fall into three main categories:

Fixed: Costs that stay the same regardless of production or sales, like rent, licenses, loan payments and health insurance premiums, which will remain fixed within the plan year but can increase or decrease upon renewal.

Variable: Costs that can fluctuate and are not always monthly, like marketing, shipping and maintenance.

Semi-variable: Costs that occur monthly but vary in amount, like sales, salaries, overtime and travel expenses.

Because health insurance is a significant fixed cost in your overhead expenses, it's important to carefully consider the needs of you and your employees when selecting a plan.

Choosing a cost-effective health insurance plan

Your employees have unique health needs based on their age, medical history and personal circumstances. Understanding this helps you choose a plan that offers appropriate care and a range of coverage options.

Explore various plan types, like PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or POS (Point-of-Service), for their advantages and determine which best suits your business financially. Assess available providers to ensure your employees have access to a large network.

Some health plans might have additional cost-saving opportunities, so be sure to check what options are available. For example, ChamberHealth offers members a 10% discount through ESI EAP, an employee assistance program that helps address the overall emotional and mental well-being of employees through counseling access, self-help resources, performance coaching and more.

Finally, consider services that are local to your business, which can significantly improve customer service experiences and ensure your employees receive the care and attention they need.

Strategies to further reduce healthcare costs

Healthier employees lead to lower healthcare costs. Investing in your employees with a comprehensive benefits package is one way to achieve this. Provide specialty products like dental, vision and life and disability insurance as preventive, cost-effective options to help employees stay healthy, happy and productive.

Wellness programs also offer discounts, programs and resources that support lifestyle goals and create healthy environments for your employees. When employees feel their best, it results in fewer health-related absences, increased productivity and higher morale.

These programs can also help manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure and prevent associated risk factors like smoking or physical inactivity, ultimately reducing medical claims and lowering healthcare costs.

Secure quality coverage today

Medical Mutual offers the ChamberHealth program in partnership with the Cincinnati Chamber to provide members with premium health insurance coverage. By leveraging the power of group purchasing, you gain access to flexible, cost-effective health insurance options tailored to best fit the unique needs of your employees and business.

If you're a small business interested in an affordable health insurance plan, specialty products and wellness programs, consider enrolling in ChamberHealth today. For more information on ChamberHealth through Medical Mutual, fill out an interest form and a representative will reach out.

For more than 90 years, Medical Mutual has proudly served Ohioans with trusted health coverage. Our plans give access to the doctors and hospitals you reply on, along with wellness and mental health resources designed to help you feel your best.

This content is provided by Medical Mutual and is for educational purposes only. Eligibility and coverage are subject to the specific terms of your benefit plan.

Member Cost Saving Programs

Offering an extensive portfolio of money-saving programs for our members, when combined, Cincinnati Chamber member benefits can save you thousands of dollars a year on necessary business expenses. Learn how your Chamber membership can pay for itself by taking a look at our ChamberHealth program.

ChamberHealth

ChamberHealth with Medical Mutual offers businesses from sole proprietors to 500-person companies a premium health insurance product with big savings.