Affordable Small Business Healthcare
Leveling the Playing Field: How AWA is Tackling the Healthcare Hurdle for Small Businesses
For the backbone of the American economy – its small businesses – the dream of entrepreneurial success is often intertwined with a persistent worry: the rising cost and complexity of healthcare. A recent survey by Small Business Majority (SBM) underscores this reality, revealing that 66% of small business owners are concerned about access to affordable healthcare. This sentiment resonates deeply within the Affiliated Workers Association (AWA), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering small business owners and entrepreneurs.
“Finding and retaining talented employees is the key to success for any growing small business,” explains Neil Peterson, AWA Board President. “To compete with larger corporations or even government positions that often offer robust benefits, small businesses must be able to provide compelling incentives, and healthcare is consistently at the top of that list.”
However, navigating the healthcare landscape can feel like an uphill battle for small business owners. Unlike their larger counterparts with dedicated HR departments, they often lack the resources and expertise to research, implement, and explain complex benefit packages.
“Accessibility is a challenge,” Peterson said. “Finding quality benefits at an affordable price can seem like an almost unattainable goal, something reserved for large corporations.”
The consequences of limited healthcare access extend far beyond just attracting talent. Peterson explains what many small business owners already know: when employees lack proper healthcare, it impacts their well-being, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. This can lead to increased sick days, higher stress levels, and decreased focus. Over time, it can erode employee loyalty and make it significantly harder to recruit new talent who are increasingly prioritizing comprehensive benefits. Conversely, offering benefits like health and dental insurance can foster a more engaged, loyal, and productive workforce, ultimately strengthening the business.
Recognizing these challenges, AWA has made it their mission to empower its members by increasing access to affordable healthcare solutions.
“We take our message of empowerment seriously,” Peterson emphasizes. “AWA is committed to investigating industry-leading carriers and providers to develop membership levels that combine our small business resources with access to meaningful benefits.”
AWA’s strategy involves partnering insured benefits with resources designed to save members both time and money as they build their businesses. Addressing the healthcare pain point is a central tenet of AWA’s support for its members.
In a significant step towards this goal, AWA recently forged a new partnership with ManhattanLife, a provider with a strong reputation for reliable insurance benefits and service.
“AWA is excited to partner with ManhattanLife because of their strong reputation for reliability and service for their insurance benefits,” Peterson said. “ManhattanLife has helped us identify benefits that complement our AWA membership offerings, allowing us to create flexible membership levels tailored to the diverse needs of our members.”
ManhattanLife is just one of the many insurance providers AWA collaborates with to offer a suite of coverage options to its members, including fixed indemnity, accident, term life, dental, and vision insurance.
“These are affordable and flexible options from top-rated carriers, designed to supplement any major medical coverage our members may already have,” Peterson explained. “We partner with consultants who work one-on-one with small business owners to craft the right insurance package for their needs.”
Beyond providing access to coverage, AWA is committed to helping its members understand and maximize the value of their healthcare benefits. Through partnerships with patient advocacy organizations such as GetAdvocacy and Alight, AWA members are able to navigate the complex world of health insurance with an advocate dedicated to helping them find affordable and convenient providers.
“These invaluable partners assist our members in finding affordable and convenient healthcare providers before appointments,” Peterson explains. “And after a visit, the advocates can analyze medical bills to ensure our members are receiving the best possible rates.”
For small business owners currently grappling with the challenge of finding affordable healthcare, Peterson offers this advice: “Small business owners are among the most innovative and creative individuals in our communities. Let us help you apply that same innovative spirit when you are looking for coverage that meets the needs of both you and your employees.”