Did you know that as an employer it costs you $1.08 after taxes for every $1 you pay your employee? And after they pay taxes, the employee only gets about 70 cents on the dollar? One alternative to offering employees a pay raise, is to offer health benefits. When an employer pays $1 in benefits, it only costs them $1, and the employee is able to capture the full $1 on the other end.

There are a variety of options available in the healthcare market today; however, let’s be honest, most are very costly and can seem downright impossible, especially for small business owners.

Remember that a little can go a long way in making an employee feel seen, heard and valued.

Employers don’t have to offer an entire health benefits package (optical, dental, health, etc.) in order to make an impact. Have your employees fill out a survey to see what benefits they would most desire, and consider starting off by offering one.

Another alternative to traditional health insurance coverage is Direct Primary Care. Here’s how it works – in lieu of of accepting insurance for routine visits, Direct Primary Care practices charge a monthly membership fee that covers common patient needs such as wellness visits, illness visits, x rays, injections and often times reduced pharmaceuticals. By offering monthly membership plans, some Direct Primary Care practices can save employers up to $2,000 per employee on insurance costs. The benefits of this innovative healthcare include:

• Unlimited access to primary and urgent care
• Low monthly membership fees
• No insurance middleman = $0 copay & $0 deductible
• Conveniently open evenings & weekends

Providing health benefits can feel like a daunting undertaking for employers. If you are reading this and feel overwhelmed remember –
1) start small; a little can go a long way in conveying you value your employees and 2) check out Direct Primary Care practices in your area for immediate cost savings. As you take steps to convey value to employees by caring about their health and personal finances, it undoubtedly increases their loyalty and engagement. You can do this!