The Employer's Viewpoint, with Stephanie Koch SCP-SHRM

Stephanie Koch, the director of HR at Hendry Marine, shares her 25-year journey in HR and how she transitioned into becoming an expert in healthcare benefits. Starting as an executive assistant, she discovered her passion for HR and the impact she could make in company culture. Stephanie delves into the shift to self-funded healthcare plans and the introduction of reference-based pricing, which initially was met with skepticism but proved to be a game-changer in reducing costs and providing better benefits for employees.

She highlights the importance of continuous education and communication with employees to ensure understanding and engagement with the new healthcare plans. Stephanie emphasizes the need for companies to be strategic in managing their healthcare costs and view it as an opportunity to contribute to the bottom line rather than just a routine expense. She shares the success story of implementing a walk-in clinic at Hendry Marine, which led to early detection of health issues and improved employee wellness.

Stephanie stresses the significance of utilizing data to identify gaps in preventative care and make informed decisions. She discusses the collaborative effort between brokers, advisors, and the Imagine360 team in analyzing data and devising strategies for improving healthcare outcomes. Stephanie encourages other employers to be open-minded and proactive in exploring innovative healthcare solutions to not only control costs but also enhance employee well-being and company profitability.