State of HR: Nobody Understands Health Insurance

Nobody understands their health insurance plan. So when it’s time for us to navigate the healthcare system, we are woefully unprepared. We hope for the best that we will be connected with customer service folks with enough patience and kindness to help us navigate our interaction with the healthcare system.

Health insurance is about as clear as mud. Most Americans don't understand basic health insurance terms. We're talking about words like deductible, coinsurance, copay, and out-of-pocket maximum. We're trying to decipher codewords that are directly tied to our health and our wallets.

And let's not even get started on the actual selection process of a plan. PPOs, HMOs, HDHPs, and enough acronyms to make your head spin. Most of us take an educated guess and hope for the best.

Even after we've selected a plan, many of us still don't know what we've signed up for. Plenty of employees don't have a general understanding of their health benefits or what plans their company offers. We just hope it works when we need it.

There’s plenty of documentation that comes with the plans, but are people reading it? The buried caveats that explain whether your favorite doctor is in-network, or if that medication you've been taking for years is suddenly not covered. 

Human Resources departments across the country are stepping up their game to help employees navigate health insurance. They're hosting "lunch and learn" sessions, sending out "health insurance 101" emails, and offering one-on-one consultations.

Some companies are taking it a step further by partnering with health literacy experts. They're creating easy-to-read guides, interactive online tools, and even mobile apps to help employees make informed decisions. Some HR departments are gamifying the learning process, turning health insurance education into a fun experience. Some companies are sharing real-life examples of how different health plans work in various scenarios. 

Understanding health insurance is a journey, not a destination. It's about asking questions, seeking clarification, and not being afraid to admit when we're confused. We're all in this together, trying to make the best decisions for our health and our wallets. It’s an opportunity for HR to support employees like never before.

This article is part of a 12 article series I’m doing in anticipation of the Cleveland SHRM State of Human Resources event. Please join us on January 22nd, as I discuss the state of Human Resources with Cleveland SHRM’s President, Jared Daly. Registration: https://www.clevelandshrm.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1890209