America's Benefit Specialist October 2023

weigh pros and cons, and ultimately make choices that align with their needs. The existence of a support system in both contexts highlights the understanding that navigating important life decisions is made easier with the assistance of others. ANTICIPATING FUTURE NEEDS In the movie, we witness Barbie’s ability to anticipate future needs, whether it’s preparing for a career change or heading off on a new adventure. An employee benefits open enroll ment, while less exciting, involves a similar element of fore sight. It requires employees to evaluate not just their present needs, but their future requirements as well. Barbie’s forward-thinking nature is mirrored in the need for employees to assess their benefit choices with the long term in mind. Selecting retirement plans, for instance, is a way of preparing for the future, much like Barbie’s careful planning ensures she’s ready for whatever challenges come her way. WHERE FANTASY MEETS REALITY In the eccentric world of Barbie, we find striking parallels to the practical process of an employee benefits open enroll ment. These parallels underscore the universal themes of choice, adaptability, support and foresight that transcend the boundaries of fiction and reality. Just as Barbie’s choices mold her incredible journey, employee benefit selections shape an individual’s well-being and future. As Barbie navi gates change with the support of her friends, employees can lean on their organization for guidance during the open-en rollment process. Both scenarios emphasize the significance Implement Reference-Based Pricing: Certain routine healthcare services exhibit significant price variations depending on the provider. Employers can control costs by capping reimbursements at a percentage above Medicare’s standard pricing, known as reference-based pricing. This encourages employees to seek care from providers charging prices within reasonable limits for non-emergency services. Provide Clinical Care Management for Chronic Illness es: Chronic conditions such as diabetes, musculoskeletal pain and heart disease remain a significant contributor to employers’ healthcare expenditures. Offering wellness programs can reduce chronic illnesses in employees, while disease-management programs empower employees to manage their conditions effectively. These strategies offer valuable avenues for companies, especially those with self-funded plans, to manage costs ef Continued from page 39

of embracing change, making informed decisions and look ing ahead to future needs. The next time you watch the Barbie movie or find yourself pondering benefit options, remember that there’s more than meets the eye. Whether in a world of make-believe or within the confines of the corporate world, the power to shape one’s destiny through thoughtful choices remains a timeless and invaluable principle. Just as Barbie’s ad ventures captivate our imagination, the process of going through an employee benefits open enrollment invites us on a journey of personal growth and empowerment that has the potential to transform, and even save, our lives. What say you? Did you see the movie? What did you think? Did you realize there were so many parallels between Barbie and an open enrollment? Don’t be shy—send me an email or direct message me. I’d love to hear from you. !

Eric Silverman is the founder and owner of Voluntary Disruption, a division of Silverman Benefits Group. Eric is an Amazon best-sell ing author featured in the book Breaking Through The Status Quo , and he has been named EBA magazine’s Voluntary Adviser of the Year.

Voluntary Disruption works as the “adviser’s adviser” for clients small to large all across the country, and is recog nized as a carrier-agonistic enhanced-benefits boutique with in-house distribution and enrollment services. You can reach Eric by voice and text at 443-676-0340 and by email at eric@voluntarydisruption.com.

EMPOWERING EMPLOYERS

fectively and enhance their competitiveness in the employee benefits landscape.

Bob Love joined BenefitMall in 2018 as the president, bringing with him more than 30 years of experience leading sales and operations teams in all size market seg ments at the national level. His background includes leading Group Sales & Service and Group Distribution on a national level for MetLife and Guardian. Prior to joining

BenefitMall, he led renewed growth for Prudential National Accounts.

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