Eye2Eye
Answering your questions about everything from eyecare to providing the best benefits package

Eye2Eye is a new column especially for VSP clients, helping you and your employees to see eye to eye. In each issue of Look to the Future, we will answer our clients' frequently asked questions. If you would like to submit a question, use the Suggestions form at vsp.com/LooktotheFuture, or e-mail us at eye2eye@vsp.com.

Q: How can I help my employees see the full value of their benefit package?

With all that's been going on in the economy, we've had to make some changes to our benefit package. We've tried very hard not to pass too much of our increasing healthcare costs to our employees, but unfortunately we had to do some cost sharing. Our employees are important to us, and we want them to know that we are providing them with the best value we can.

Unfortunately there is no easy answer for you. Despite the press coverage that today's healthcare crisis has received, employees are often not fully aware of the benefit realities your organization may be facing. There are some things that you can do, however, that have worked for us in the past and have helped us to be on the Fortune "100 Best Places to Work For" list for five consecutive years.

Share a Total Compensation Package update.
Every year, VSP sends a Total Compensation Package to its employees. In this document, we highlight what we are paying vs. what the employee pays, and demonstrate the monetary value of the package they've chosen. We've found that our employees have a greater appreciation for the package we offer when they understand the costs to VSP, and that we are unwilling to sacrifice quality for them.

Be upfront about costs.
You've been facing some tough decisions. Let your employees in on that. Let them know that you want the best for them, but how staying the course could impact the company and, possibly, their positions. VSP employees have asked to be given the facts, and that's what we do as much as possible. They understand better why we make the decisions we make, and often even come up with new ways for us to save money.

Highlight your highest satisfaction benefits.
Sometimes one high satisfaction benefit can make an entire package shine. Be sure to highlight those benefits that have the highest employee satisfaction. For example, VSP is typically a benefit that gets high marks from our members…96 percent rating high overall satisfaction in 2003.

Promote the benefits you offer.
While it's important to be open with your employees about changes you've had to make and challenges you've faced, it's even more important to share the positives of the benefits you do offer. Remember, value is found not in the plans you offer, but in the impacts those plans have on your employees' lives. Be sure to demonstrate the ways the benefits you offer enhance the personal or professional lives of your employees.

Work with your vendors to provide your members with clear, easy-to-use benefit materials. For example, VSP offers clients a variety of tools including benefit summaries, easy reference cards and our Hassle-Free Member Communications CD with newsletter articles and other useful benefit information. Materials like these help members understand what their coverage includes and makes it easier for them to use their benefits. Ultimately, understanding the benefit itself helps them to see its value.