Happy Benefit Renewal Season! Let’s look at Mental Health Benefits for the Workplace –

A survey of 543 U.S.-based HR leaders at firms with 100 or more employees indicates they need help from their brokers, and their employers, to meet employee demand for such services.

The access issue is huge today due to the spike in demand for mental health treatment in the wake of the pandemic. Nearly half (43%) of respondents cite employee complaints related to finding services and getting appointments, even when such services were included in the benefits package. But a substantial number of employers (35%) don’t include any mental health and wellness benefits, the report says.

Many respondents said they look to their benefits consultants to identify ways to improve access to mental health care. But more than a third say their broker had “not helped their company provide more ways for employees to access care for mental health, wellbeing, and chronic illnesses.”

Other survey results included:

• 32% say their benefits professional has not proactively suggested offering employees enhanced mental health and wellbeing benefits or support since the start of the pandemic.
• 49% say they talk with their benefits professional about options and services less frequently than monthly.
• 30% say their benefits professional hasn’t been helpful identifying options to help employees with chronic illnesses.
• 51% of HR leaders say that providing employees with access to nontraditional benefits, like mental health and wellness, was a top challenge.
• 31% say their company doesn’t provide enough mental health and wellness support to keep employees productive and healthy.
• 52% say that concerns about access to mental health for employees’ teenaged children have become more prevalent since the start of the pandemic (in 2020).
• 32% say their benefits professional has not proactively suggested offering employees enhanced mental health and wellbeing benefits or support since the start of the pandemic.
• 49% say they talk with their benefits professional about options and services less frequently than monthly.
• 30% say their benefits professional hasn’t been helpful identifying options to help employees with chronic illnesses.

Benefit renewals are far more than a routine task—they are a pivotal moment for insurance brokers to reinforce client relationships, optimize coverage, and drive business growth. By approaching renewals with a strategic mindset and leveraging the opportunity to add value, brokers can turn this process into a cornerstone of their success.

Embrace renewals as a chance to showcase your expertise, foster client loyalty, and enhance your own business performance. In the competitive world of insurance, a well-executed renewal process can set you apart and pave the way for long-term success.

Link for survey cited above.