We are thrilled to announce that The Arc Central Chesapeake Region has been recognized with three awards from Health Rosetta for outstanding employee health benefits: America’s Top Health Plans, Top Health Plans of the East, and the Walk the Talk Award. These awards highlight our dedication over the last five years to creating innovative, accessible, and affordable health and wellness benefits for our employees.
What Are the Health Rosetta Awards?
The Health Rosetta Awards recognize organizations that are leading the way in transforming healthcare for employees. These awards honor companies that have adopted innovative, cost-effective, and high-quality healthcare solutions, setting a new standard in the industry. By focusing on transparency, value, and sustainability, Health Rosetta celebrates employers who improve the health and wellness of their workforce while also making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
The Arc was selected for these prestigious awards from a pool of 196 finalists and over 2,000 initial candidates from across the country. Nominations for the awards came from benefits advisors, solution providers, and clinical professionals, making the selection process highly competitive. Prioritizing Affordable, Innovative Healthcare Benefits
Innovative and Affordable Benefits
Over the last five years, The Arc has made transformational changes to our Total Rewards package. We prioritized quality and affordability, consistently adding new rewards without passing increasing costs to employees. For four consecutive years, The Arc has not raised health deductibles—a stark contrast to the national trend. The average family premium increase in health insurance premiums since 2018 has been 22% and is projected to increase by 7% in 2024. With these rising costs of healthcare, The Arc has worked hard to keep our plans affordable and sustainable for employees.
The Arc’s Total Rewards package is competitive, including features such as affordable monthly premiums, covering 100% of the $2000 deductible for each employee, the ability to contribute to FSA accounts, comprehensive vision and dental that goes beyond typical coverage offered by most employers, coverage for IVF treatments, and cost-saving prescription delivery services.
“Innovation in our Total Rewards isn’t just about keeping up with trends—it’s about ensuring that every employee has access to the care they need without worrying about rising costs,” said Brandy Stephens, Vice President of People & Culture. “Our commitment to affordability allows us to continue adding meaningful rewards, without increasing premiums, making sure our employees feel valued and supported.”
One of the most innovative and strategic additions to our Total Rewards package is Health at Work. Launched in February 2024, Health at Work provides on-site health services where all employees and their dependents (whether enrolled in The Arc’s insurance plan, or not) can access primary care and same-day urgent care. Recent data suggests over 100 million Americans – nearly one-third of the nation – lack access to a primary care provider (PCP) and rely on costly urgent care or emergency room visits. By incorporating on-site healthcare, employees and their dependents have the support they need to manage chronic health conditions, treat illnesses as they come up, and makes preventative and ongoing healthcare an accessible and routine part of their lives.
One of our DSPs gave her thoughts on The Arc’s Total Reward package and the difference it has made for her family:
As a mom with two young children and as the only wage earner in our household, there are so many expenses I have to be aware of and plan for. Knowing that I work at an organization that has not increased healthcare costs in the three years I’ve worked here, has actually improved our health, vision, and dental coverages during that same time, and offers dependent care FSA plans is a large part of why I choose to remain at The Arc. There are pros and cons to every workplace, but the total rewards at The Arc are major pros. If I did look for employment elsewhere, how could their total rewards possibly stack-up to the ones here?
With the launch of Health at Work this spring, I have received such excellent care and so have my children. When they get pink eye or strep throat or a rash as kids are apt to do, it is incredible to be able to reach out for support 24/7 and get same-day appointments and prescriptions so our lives aren’t overly interrupted by trying to go to urgent care or tracking down their primary care doctor.
When my oldest son needed his tonsils out last year, I didn’t pay a dime. When my husband had his ACL repaired, we didn’t pay a dime. When I needed to get antibiotics this week, the copay was only $2. The medical, dental, vision, and mental healthcare coverage we receive through The Arc is wonderful and the offerings are just what my family needs in this stage of life.
Sharing Insights on Healthcare Innovations
In addition to receiving three Health Rosetta Awards, Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO, spoke on a Health Rosetta panel about how The Arc is pioneering benefits innovation. “We’ve always believed that taking care of our employees goes beyond offering a paycheck,” he said. “By ensuring they have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, we’re investing in employee’s long-term well-being. It’s humbling to receive this recognition, but it’s also a reminder that there’s always more we can do.”
These awards are just the beginning. As we move forward, The Arc will continue to find new ways to improve our Total Rewards package and ensure our employees feel supported in every aspect of their lives. By prioritizing health and wellness, we not only create a better workplace, but support people where and how they need it most.