The Hidden Cost of Underused Benefits
Even the best benefits program loses value if employees don’t understand it. When people don’t know what’s available—or how to use it—they miss out on resources that could improve their health, save them money, and strengthen their loyalty to your organization.
Three common issues we see:
- Low awareness — employees simply don’t know all the benefits offered
- Complexity — insurance terms and plan details overwhelm people
- Underutilization — cost-saving tools and preventive care go unused
What Happens When Employees Truly Understand Their Benefits
When benefits education is clear, ongoing, and accessible, organizations experience:
- Higher participation in wellness, preventive care, and cost-saving programs
- Lower claims costs as employees make smarter healthcare decisions
- Greater retention as people value their benefits and feel supported
A Client Success Story
One of our large multi-location clients was frustrated that preventive care visits were low, high-cost claims were rising, and wellness program participation lagged.
We rolled out the COMS Blueprint and LinQed Online, delivering bite-sized benefits education through email, text, Teams, and news feeds—keeping the information front-and-center year-round.
In just 12 months:
- Preventive care visits increased by 41%
- High-cost claims dropped by 18%
- Participation in cost-saving tools (like telehealth) more than doubled
- Employee surveys showed a 27% increase in benefits satisfaction
The Benefits Education Quadrant
We focus on four key pillars:
- Awareness – Employees know what’s available to them
- Understanding – They grasp how each benefit applies to their life
- Access – They know exactly how to use the benefit when needed
- Engagement – They continue to use benefits over time
When all four are in place, benefits transform from an overlooked expense into a strategic advantage.
The Big Myth
Myth: “If benefits are good, employees will figure them out.”
Truth: Without clear communication, great benefits go unused—and the investment is wasted.
The Next Step
Underutilized benefits cost more than they should. Touchpoints helps companies turn confusion into clarity, improving participation, cutting costs, and boosting satisfaction.
Schedule Your Demo to see how our COMS Blueprint and LinQed Online make benefits education simple, engaging, and effective year-round.
