How GR Motorcar Elevated Employee Health Coverage

Effective employee health coverage isn't just a perk—it's a key component to retaining talented staff and ensuring workplace satisfaction. GR Motorcar faced difficulties choosing employee health coverage under Affordable Care Act (ACA) options. Employees were left to select their own plans without guidance, leading to dissatisfaction as many chose options that didn’t meet their personal or family needs. 

GR Motorcar, a small business in Grand Rapids, MI, sought change for their team and implemented strategic changes that improved both employee satisfaction and HR efficiency. Small Business Benefits stepped in to streamline the process and deliver a solution that empowered each team member.

Here's a breakdown of how their health coverage transformation unfolded, demonstrating what small businesses can achieve with the right approach.

Client Overview

• Business Type: Used Car Dealership and Repair Facility

• Location: Grand Rapids, MI

• Employees: 15

  
  

GR Motorcar serves its local community by combining car sales and repair services under one roof. With just 15 employees and minimal resources devoted to HR, they needed a cost-effective yet impactful solution for providing employee health coverage that met individual needs.

Table of Contents

1. The Challenge

2. The Solution

3. The Results

4. Testimonial

5. Key Takeaways for Small Businesses

6. Conclusion

   
   

The Challenge

GR Motorcar initially leveraged Affordable Care Act (ACA) options, which required employees to independently choose from a variety of plans on the marketplace. This created two significant challenges:

1. Employee Confusion and Dissatisfaction: Without guidance, many team members selected plans that didn't align with their personal or family requirements. High deductibles or inadequate coverage led to frustration and reduced morale.

2. Administrative Burden: The dealership’s small HR team struggled to manage questions, troubleshoot issues, and assist employees, overwhelming their already limited capacity.
   

This dual issue made it clear that a more structured and personalized approach to health benefits was necessary.

The Solution

Small Business Benefits (SBBMI) delivered a tailored solution that addressed these challenges effectively. By blending expert education, one-on-one support, and innovative benefits, they ensured both the business and its employees thrived.

1. Personalized Education

Each employee (and their family, where applicable) received individualized assistance to understand ACA marketplace options. Small Business Benefits specializes in breaking down complex insurance concepts, helping employees grasp their choices clearly and confidently. Employees learned which plans were subsidized, how tax credits could apply to them, and the full scope of potential costs and benefits.

To learn more about navigating ACA marketplace options, check the official guide on Healthcare.gov.

2. One-on-One Consultation

Rather than leaving employees to choose without support, Small Business Benefits conducted private consultations with each team member. This ensured plans were optimized for personal needs, alleviating confusion and helping employees feel confident about their decisions.

3. Innovative Concierge Benefits

An additional enhancement introduced was a voluntary concierge medical benefit. This feature is a premium healthcare perk offering employees personalized services like direct doctor access, shorter wait times, and care coordination. It focuses on convenience, preventive care, and improved health outcomes, often paired with high-deductible plans to reduce costs for both employees and employers.

Altogether, these solutions not only clarified the overwhelming choice of plans but also minimized the HR team's involvement, reducing stress and streamlining operations.

The Results

The impact of these strategic changes was evident almost immediately and showcased clear benefits for all parties involved:

1. Improved Employee Satisfaction

Personalized attention helped employees feel valued and empowered. Coverage selections better suited their individual and family needs. This kind of targeted support can boost morale and engagement in ways that extend beyond health benefits.

2. HR Relief

The HR team, previously bogged down with health plan inquiries and issues, was finally freed up to focus on their core responsibilities. Transitioning health benefits management to experts like Small Business Benefits created a streamlined process and mitigated unnecessary stress.

3. Efficiency and Savings

Not only were the benefits customized, but the dealership also avoided costly missteps stemming from ill-selected plans. By supporting employees through the ACA marketplace, GR Motorcar also showed how businesses could save on traditional group plans while maintaining strong benefits.

Testimonial from GR Motorcar

"This was the best insurance education and service our team has ever experienced. We would recommend Small Business Benefits to anyone." – Tom, Business Owner

Key Takeaways for Small Businesses

Personalized Support Pays Off

1. Offering personalized guidance can make a world of difference when navigating the complexities of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Helping employees understand their coverage options ensures they select plans that address their individual or family needs. This not only boosts employee satisfaction but also creates a stronger sense of trust and support within your workforce. At GR Motorcar, for example, employee satisfaction improved dramatically after personalized consultations clarified the plan selection process. For tools to transition from group plans to tailored ACA solutions, check out SBBMI’s resource hub.
   

   Innovative Employee Health Coverage Can Set You Apart

2. Enhancing your benefits package with thoughtful additions, like voluntary concierge medical benefits, can help your business stand out while managing costs. These perks not only improve employee well-being but also foster loyalty and long-term retention by showing that you prioritize their health and time.

   
   

   Simplify Management

3. Managing employee health benefits can overwhelm small HR teams, especially where time and resources are limited. Partnering with experts in ACA navigation or health benefits streamlines the process, transferring the complexities of insurance management to professionals. This allows HR teams to focus on core business priorities. At GR Motorcar, for instance, outsourcing to Small Business Benefits freed up HR staff to tackle day-to-day operations without the added burden of insurance decision-making. 

   
   

By prioritizing recognized employee needs, introducing innovative healthcare solutions, and leveraging expert assistance, small businesses can create a competitive and efficient benefits strategy that works both for employees and the company.

Conclusion

GR Motorcar's experience underscores the tangible benefits of offering personalized, expert-driven health assistance. By simplifying employee benefits management and putting an emphasis on individual needs, Small Business Benefits helped create an environment where employees felt cared for and HR became more productive.

Empower your business with smarter health benefit solutions—contact Small Business Benefits at 616-425-9740 today to schedule your consultation.