Aon Hewitt on Thursday said it is planning to add voluntary benefit plans to the menu of coverages available through its private health insurance exchange, largely due to rising employer demand for a wider variety of exchange-based benefit options.
Voluntary health care benefits such as critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity insurance will be available to employers participating in the “Aon Active Health Exchange” for the first time during this fall's open enrollment period, the Lincolnshire, Illinois-based benefits brokerage and human resources consultant said in a statement.
Employers providing group health benefits through Aon Hewitt's private exchange will also have the option of offering their employees life insurance and long-term disability coverage, as well as a range of personal coverage lines including home and auto, identity theft, legal expenses and pet insurance.
“More and more employers are looking beyond just medical and dental to offer an array of elective benefits that support employees' overall 'wellbeing,' including their physical, financial, emotional and social health,” Cary Grace, CEO of exchange solutions at Aon Hewitt, said in the statement.
Voluntary insurance coverage placed through the private exchange platform would be effective beginning Jan. 1, 2015, the company's statement said.
Voluntary benefit products such as critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity can help to fill gaps in health care coverage that are created when employees enroll in high-deductible health plans.