The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and allergy season is in full swing. For individuals and families everywhere, that signals a change in healthcare needs. HR teams can help employees prepare for spring health needs, and help reduce how often they have to ask, “Is it a cold or is it allergies?”
Even if employees aren’t taking sick days, showing up to work foggy, tired, and distracted doesn’t benefit anyone across your teams.
Employers and HR pros are positioned to help employees navigate the change in seasons that ushers in allergies, colds, early season sunburns, and sports injuries.
Start by taking the time to educate employees about their available benefits, whether that’s allergy testing, preparing for spring travel, or restocking the medicine cabinet.
Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) are exceptional tools to help employees cover out-of-pocket costs for spring health needs, or to bridge the gap between what the company health plan covers and the portion of expenses for which employees are personally responsible.
As you plan your spring employee benefits communications, direct employees to a FSA or HSA eligibility list. They can explore and better understand how to use FSA and HSA funds to live their best life and stay healthy throughout the spring.
1. Protection During Spring Travel
When traveling for work-related reasons, remind employees to pack travel-sized first aid essentials such as pain or allergy medication, Dramamine, bandages, and hand sanitizer. A soothing eye mask, or pain relief neck relief pillow can also help.
2. Relieve Pain From Too Much Exercise
When the weather warms up employees are ready to make the most of it, whether it be hiking, gardening, golf—outdoor hobbies make their comeback.
That’s why spring is also the season for sprains and strains, shin splints and stress fractures, tennis elbow, and low back pain—all of which can be treated with over-the-counter devices and medications that are FSA and HSA eligible. Employees should seek medical care for serious injuries, and their tax-free funds can help alleviate those costs, as well.
For employees who are early technology adopters, remind them that they can use FSA and HSA funds to purchase high-tech devices like light therapy, acupressure, and nerve stimulation.
3. Push Back on Pollen and Itchy Insect Bites
While many of us eagerly await spring, employees with seasonal allergies brace for the onslaught of pollen, grasses, and weeds, which can mean weeks of congestion, and a miserable time at work.
According to a survey by Value Penquin, the average consumer spends a whopping $266 each year on allergy treatments. Throw in allergic reactions to insect bites, and that’s enough to curb anyone’s enthusiasm for the great outdoors.
Luckily, allergy office visits, tests, and prescriptions are FSA-eligible, as are many over-the-counter products to help relieve allergy symptoms.
As your team gears up for spring, be sure they understand how to make the most of the benefits your organization offers that will keep them healthy. Be sure your employees have the information they need to take full advantage of their FSA/HSA and stay healthy—physically and financially.
Keri Kaiser is chief revenue officer for Health-E Commerce, parent brand to FSA Store, HSA Store, and Caring Mill.