HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 07/23/2024 - Memorandum from Teresa Roche re: 2025 City Benefits SurveyHuman Resources Department
215 N. Mason St, 2nd Floor
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6535
humanresources@fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
Date: July 16, 2024
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
From: Teresa Roche, Human Resources Executive
Subject: 2025 City Benefits Survey
BOTTOM LINE
This memo has been prepared in response to Councilmember Ohlson's request to see the
attached 2025 Benefits Survey final report.
BACKGROUND
• The 2025 Benefits Survey was created to help our Benefits Team understand how well
our current benefits meet our employees' needs and identify what changes they want to
see in the upcoming benefit year. It was designed to gather feedback from all
employees, including IGA staff, whether they are currently on a City Health Plan or not,
and to inform them about some of our less frequently used benefits.
• The survey questions focused on benefits that might be adjusted and left out those that
cannot be changed in the coming benefit plan year.
• The survey opened on Monday, June 3, and closed on Friday, June 14, and was
communicated through numerous communications channels.
• Over 800 employees participated, 751 on a City Health Plan, representing 42% of
eligible employees.
NEXT STEPS
All responses from the survey have been analyzed and shared. The Benefits team is now
collaborating with our vendors to select the 2025 benefit plan year based on the survey results.
Once the benefit selection process is complete, the Benefits team will release information on
how the survey influenced the 2025 offerings during Open Enrollment. The survey also revealed
important insights into employee awareness of current benefit offerings that will guide future
communications.
If you have questions or comments, please let me know.
Docusign Envelope ID: D012D282-7866-4239-9C07-0C5BFB504B09
2025 Benefits Survey
Report
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 1
Executive Summary
Purpose of the Survey
The 2025 Benefits Survey was created to help our Benefits Team understand how well our current
benefits meet the needs of our employees and to identify what changes they want to see in the
upcoming benefit year. We focused on benefits that might be adjusted and left out those that can't be
changed in the coming benefit plan year. It was designed to gather feedback from all employees,
whether they are currently on a City Health Plan or not, and to inform them about some of our less
frequently used benefits.
Communication Strategy
To reach as many employees as possible, we used a variety of communication methods. The
invitation to take the survey was in the Human Resources Newsletter (HR News & Notes), the City
Internal Newsletter (Fort Shorts), multiple direct emails to City staff and eligible IGAs, and the
biweekly update email from City Manager Kelly DiMartino.
Key Findings
The survey revealed several key insights into employee satisfaction and desired changes in benefits.
Over 800 employees participated, with 751 participants responding that they are currently on a City
Health Plan. Given this number, we can estimate that at least 42% of benefit-eligible employees
participated in the survey.
Satisfaction levels with Alight Health Pro, Delta Dental Plan, and VSP Vision Plan varied, but most
employees reported moderate to high satisfaction with these services. Many respondents expressed
a desire for an Enhanced Dental Plan option with greater coverage, even if it meant higher premiums.
The survey also highlighted the need for better education about the Alight Health Pro and extra VSP
Vision Plan benefits available to employees.
When asked to choose between Identity Theft Prevention and Pet Insurance as an added benefit in
2025, the two options were nearly tied, with Identity Theft Prevention slightly ahead. Less than half of
survey participants wrote in additional benefits they would like to see, but of those who did, 26%
wanted more health insurance options, including lower costs, better coverage, and more choices.
Additionally, 14% desired reimbursement or coverage for lifestyle management items like gym
memberships, massage therapy, and nutrition support. Cost-of-living assistance, such as stipends or
subsidies for childcare or housing, was requested by 8.5% of respondents to help with high living
costs in Fort Collins.
There was also interest in additional benefits such as discounts and memberships (8%), more paid
time off or increased pay (7%), improved retirement benefits (7%), and increased coverage for dental
and vision plans (6.6%). Awareness and utilization of existing benefits were high, with 82% of
employees aware of the MINES Employee Assistance Program and 92% knowledgeable about
available wellness programs.
Desire for technology and communication enhancements was evident, with 56% of respondents
interested in a mobile benefits app and 51% open to a text message notification system for benefits
updates. There was strong support for offering more flexible usage of the Lifestyle Management
Program's reimbursement and including functional medicine.
Conclusion
The 2025 Benefits Survey has provided valuable insights into what employees want and where our
benefits can improve. The findings indicate a clear demand for more flexible, comprehensive, and
cost-effective health and lifestyle benefits. By addressing these areas, the City can boost employee
satisfaction and wellbeing, ensuring that our benefits package remains competitive and responsive to
the evolving needs of our workforce. This feedback will help guide future enhancements, helping to
create a supportive and attractive benefits environment for all employees.
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 2
Response Statistics
The following graphs and tables illustrate the responses for each question on the 2025 Benefits
Survey. Questions that allowed for write-in responses were analyzed by Human Resources staff and
put into response categories.
Percent Count
Complete 97.7 818
Partial 2.3 19
Disqualified 0 0
Total 837
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Disqualified
Partial
Complete
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 3
1.Are you currently on a City Health Plan?
Value Percent Count
Yes 90.7% 751
No 9.3% 77
Total 828
Yes
91%
No
9%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 4
2.On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being unsatisfied and 5 being very satisfied, how would you
rate Alight Health Pro?
Value Percent Count
1 4.1% 33
2 5.4% 44
3 18.9% 154
4 22.6% 184
5 14.6% 119
Not applicable 34.4% 280
Total 814
1
4%2
5%
3
19%
4
23%5
15%
Not
applicable
34%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 5
3.On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being unsatisfied and 5 being very satisfied, how would you
rate our current Delta Dental Plan?
Value Percent Count
1 4.2% 31
2 8.7% 64
3 25.7% 190
4 37.3% 275
5 22.0% 162
Not applicable 2.2% 16
Total 738
1
4%2
9%
3
26%
4
37%
5
22%
Not
applicable
2%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 6
4.On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being unsatisfied and 5 being very satisfied, how would you
rate our current VSP Vision Plan?
Value Percent Count
1 2.3% 17
2 4.3% 32
3 20.5% 151
4 37.9% 279
5 20.4% 150
Not applicable 14.7% 108
Total 737
1
2%
2
4%
3
21%
4
38%
5
20%
Not
applicable
15%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 7
5.We currently have Delta Dental coverage, which includes adult orthodontia (to cover
things like braces and retainers). Should we offer more dental options? Please
choose one:
Value Percent Count
Yes, I want an Enhanced
Benefit Plan option with more
coverage (for things like crowns
and major dental work), even if
it costs more.
67.3% 496
Yes, I want a Basic Dental Plan
option that costs less, even if it
covers fewer things.
4.7% 35
No, I’m happy with our current
dental plan and don’t want to
offer more options.
28.0% 206
Total 737
Yes, Enhanced Plan
67.3%
Yes, Basic Plan
4.7%
No, Keep As Is
28%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 8
6.Do you know that the VSP Vision Plan offers extra vision benefits like Kids Care,
Sunglasses (Light Care), & Essential Medical Eyecare?
Value Percent Count
Yes, I know this. 35.6% 264
No, I didn't know this. 64.4% 477
Total 741
Yes, I know
this.
36%
No, I didn't
know this.
64%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 9
7.Do you know that Alight Health Pro helps with medical claims, finding doctors, and
also finding top-rated vision and in-network dental providers, regardless of whether
or not you have the City’s health plans?
Value Percent Count
Yes, I know this. 36.7% 302
No, I didn't know this. 63.3% 521
Total 823
Yes, I know
this.
37%
No, I didn't
know this.
63%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 10
8.When you need to find information about benefits, where do you
look? Please check all that apply.
Value Percent Count
HR Connect or Benefits
Connect
76.3% 623
Emails 23.1% 189
Benefits Guide or Benefits
Highlights
45.8% 374
Newsletters (HR News & Notes,
Fort Shorts, Wellnews)
11.4% 93
Contact HR 2.7% 22
UMR 3.6% 29
Alight 0.9% 7
Word of Mouth 1.7% 14
Other or N/A 1.8% 15
Total 816
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 11
9.Would you want a benefits app for your mobile device to help with your
benefit choices, open enrollment, and learning about benefits?
Value Percent Count
Yes 56.1% 462
No 43.9% 361
Total 823
Yes
56%
No
44%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 12
10.Would you sign up if we offered a text message notification system for
benefits updates (message and data rates may apply)?
Value Percent Count
Yes 50.7% 416
No 49.3% 405
Total 821
Yes
51%
No
49%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 13
11.The City of Fort Collins Benefits Team is thinking about adding a new benefit for
2025. Please tell us your top choice from the two listed below.
Item Overall Rank Score Total Respondents
Identify Theft
Prevention (e.g.
Lifelock)
1 1,011 663
Pet Insurance 2 1,000 641
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 14
12.Other than Identity Theft Prevention or Pet Insurance, what other benefits might
you want to see in 2025?
Value Percent Count
Changes to Health Insurance 26.5% 84
Coverage for Lifestyle Options
(such as gym memberships,
massage, nutrition, weight loss
medication and surgeries, etc.)
14.1% 45
Cost-of-Living (COL) Assistance
for Childcare and Housing
8.5% 27
Discounts or Memberships 8.2% 26
Additional PTO, Pay Increases,
Employee Appreciation, Etc.
6.9% 22
Improved Retirement Benefits 6.9% 22
Changes to Vision and Dental
Coverage
6.6% 21
Changes to Mental Health
Coverage
4.1% 13
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 15
Legal and/or Financial
Assistance
3.5% 11
Other or N/A* 23.9% 76
Total 317
* Includes responses of “N/A”, “None” or responses that state they are unsure how to answer. Also include request for lower
premiums, requests for vehicle insurance, long-term care coverage, requests for a 32-hour work week, tuition reimbursement
programs, more pay, or provide feedback on current providers.
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 16
13.Do you know that all City employees can use the MINES Employee Assistance
Program (EAP) for up to eight free sessions per issue per year, no matter your job
classification or benefit status?
Value Percent Count
Yes, I know this. 82.2% 677
No, I didn't know this. 17.8% 147
Total 824
Yes, I know
this.
82%
No, I didn't
know this.
18%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 17
14.Do you know that all City employees have access to Wellness programs, such as
Wellbeats, onsite fitness rooms, Personal Enrichment classes, and Wellness
Coaching no matter your job classification or benefit status?
Value Percent Count
Yes, I know this. 92.1% 758
No, I didn't know this. 7.9% 65
Total 823
Yes, I know
this.
92%
No, I didn't
know this.
8%
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 18
15.The Lifestyle Management Program is part of our medical plan. Currently, it covers
therapeutic massage, biofeedback, acupuncture, and visits to a registered dietician.
You can get reimbursed up to $500 for each service, with a maximum of $2,000 back
per year. The Benefits Team is thinking about changing the Lifestyle Management
Program for 2025. Check all that interest you:
Value Percent Count
Allow more flexibility in how the
$2,000 reimbursement is used.
For instance, increase the
maximum reimbursement per
service to $1,000.
77.2% 521
Offer reimbursement for
Functional Medicine (such as
stress management, sleep
therapy, float therapy, etc.)
53.5% 361
Additional Services (e.g.
chiropractic services not
covered by insurance, hormone
therapies, reflexology, saunas,
rolfing, stretch therapy, and
more.
4% 27
Reimbursement for services for
those on the HDHP (without
3.3% 22
2025 Benefit Survey Report June 2024 | 19
reaching deductible first)
Use all $2,000 on one service/
as employee desires
2.5% 17
Gym Membership 2.4% 16
Increase total amount (more
than $2K max)
1.3% 9
Supplement Costs for Mental
Health Therapies
1% 7
N/A or Other** 5.7% 38
Total 668
** Many of these comment on the difficulty of the reimbursement process, request up-front payment/direct vendor payment or
say they were unaware of the benefit.