CareNotes

Benchmarking Benefits and Insurance to Manage Costs and Strengthen Retention

This is a guest blog post from Alera Group, OHCA’s endorsed employee benefits partner. Please review the press release about the OHCA/Alera partnership here, and reach out to Reilly Anderson, reilly.anderson@aleragroup.com, at Alera Group with any questions about employee benefits needs.

In today’s senior care environment, providers face a unique challenge: retaining dedicated employees while managing the rising cost of benefits and insurance.

During the opening keynote at this year’s OHCA Annual Convention, Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, highlighted a striking data point: the senior care industry reported a 52.1% turnover rate in 2024. With workforce shortages persisting and turnover trending at this high rate, it is more important than ever for long term care leaders to understand how their organizations’ benefits strategies and insurance expenses compare to others in the field.

Benchmarking gives leaders the ability to see how their benefits and insurance stack up against industry peers. By examining data points such as plan design, employee contributions, and participation rates, organizations can identify cost-saving opportunities and areas where strategic investment can improve retention and satisfaction.

For example, many long term care providers discover through benchmarking that they’re paying above-average premiums for plans with lower participation—or that competitors are investing in benefits employees that truly value, such as mental health support, flexible scheduling, or voluntary benefits. These insights empower organizations to make decisions based on real data, aligning their benefits strategy with both organization financial goals and workforce needs and preferences.

Benchmarking is also an important tool during renewal and open enrollment season. With the right data, employers can anticipate cost increases, evaluate vendor performance, and negotiate more effectively. Additionally, benchmarking helps communicate their own benefit value to staff. When employees see how their benefits compare to industry norms, it reinforces appreciation for the coverage provided and strengthens overall engagement.

As the Oregon Health Care Association’s endorsed partner for Employee Benefits and Property & Casualty, Alera Group and Propel Insurance, an Alera Group company, are committed to helping senior care providers make informed, data-driven decisions. We’re offering OHCA members a complimentary benchmarking report to help evaluate their current benefits and insurance programs and uncover actionable insights ahead of renewal season.

Request your free benchmarking report here.

Together, we’re proud to support the senior care community with resources that help you attract and retain great employees, manage costs responsibly, and continue providing exceptional care to Oregon’s seniors.