Published by Trustmark Voluntary Benefits on March 3rd, 2021

Most people think of voluntary benefits as financial protection for when you’re down-and-out, whether that be from an accident, illness or even a serious disease. In this day in age, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for this type of protection has increased among employees.1 So be sure to review your employer’s benefit offerings and keep an eye out for the following features that could be extra useful in a COVID-19 world. 



Telemedicine/ Telehealth
If you’ve had a doctor’s appointment in the last year, chances are you’ve at least had the option to use telemedicine or telehealth services. Essentially these services allow you to receive medical care remotely via telecommunication whether that be a phone call, video call or video chat. New, forward-thinking accident or hospital insurances may cover these remote visits just as they would a regular doctor’s visit or follow-up. This type of coverage can give you peace-of-mind that you have the option to receive clinical care safely at home. 

Vaccinations
In recent months, COVID-19 vaccinations have started becoming available to select populations. Although the vaccine is currently free, it’s unknown whether or not that will always be the case in the future. Some voluntary benefits may offer wellness benefits that can cover vaccinations including the COVID-19 vaccine, helping you stay protected now and later down the line.  

Hospital admissions
Unfortunately, in some severe cases, COVID-19 can lead to a hospital admission. If that’s the case, voluntary benefits such as hospital insurance or critical illness insurance might be able to help cover your hospital stay. If you’re in the hospital fighting off the Coronavirus, having this extra financial protection can help you focus on recovery rather than hospital bills. 

Wellness
Prioritizing your overall health and wellbeing is more important now than ever before. We mentioned how wellness benefits could help cover COVID-19 vaccinations, but there are other reasons to take advantage of wellness coverage that’s available to you. Wellness benefits incentivize healthy habits and reward you for being proactive about your health. They can provide financial coverage for routine screenings, physicals and potentially follow-up tests as well. In a COVID-19 world where a wrench has been thrown into our daily lives and routines, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re staying on top of your exercise and nutrition to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Mental health and addiction
It’s no secret that COVID-19 has taken a toll on many people’s mental health and wellbeing. Navigating a global pandemic that affected jobs, families and public health has been tough on everyone. If you have access to voluntary benefits such as hospital or critical illness insurance, see if they offer coverage for mental health conditions. Certain critical illness insurance carriers can cover mental illnesses and innovative hospital insurance policies may help cover a hospital admission for a mental health condition or even addiction recovery. 

The past year has been a challenge for all of us. COVID-19 has changed the way we view and navigate our personal and public health. Fortunately, with voluntary benefits, these key features can help support keeping you and your family safe and healthy now and in the future. 

1Insurance News Net. COVID-19 Continues to Drive Voluntary Benefit Trends. 2021.