Let’s be honest, trust in health plans is slipping. Forrester Research found in 2025 that only about half of customers (54%) describe their health insurers as trustworthy. Even fewer insured adults, 48%, believe their health plan will act in their best interest. That’s a big concern for health plans, insurers, brokers, and employers.

That negative sentiment is echoed by John Hopkins University research. It found that public trust in the U.S. health care system fell from 71.5% in 2020 to 40.1% in 2024.

So what does that mean for you as an employer? It means employees are questioning their benefits and looking for better options.

The Real Problem: One-Size-Fits-All Health Plans

Most traditional health plans force employees into a single option. But your workforce isn’t one-size-fits-all. You have:

• Younger employees who want lower premiums and flexibility
• Families who need balanced coverage and predictable costs
• Long-tenured employees who want broad doctor access and stability

When everyone gets the same plan, most people feel like it doesn’t truly work for them. That’s where trust starts to break down.

A Better Approach: Give Employees More Choice

If employees don’t trust their health plan, one of the best ways to fix it is simple. Let them choose their own. That’s exactly how a private health insurance exchange works. Instead of picking one plan for everyone:

• You set a fixed contribution toward premiums
• Employees choose the plan that fits their needs and budget

More control = more confidence in their decision.

How CaliforniaChoice Makes It Easy

CaliforniaChoice is a leading private health exchange designed to give both employers and employees more flexibility. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• 100+ plan options across multiple carriers
• HMO, PPO, and Health Savings Account (HSA)-compatible plans
• Four metal tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) with different cost-sharing levels

Employees can pick:

• Lower-cost plans if they want to save money
• Richer coverage if they expect higher medical needs

No more guessing. No more “middle ground” plan. Just options that fit real lives.

Built for a Diverse Workforce

Today’s teams are more diverse than ever — across age, culture, income, and health needs. CaliforniaChoice helps you meet those differences head-on by offering:

• Multiple carriers and provider networks
• Access to more doctors and specialists
• Plan designs that support different financial situations

When employees can choose what works for them, they’re more likely to feel confident and satisfied with their benefits.

Control Costs While Improving Employee Satisfaction

Rising health care costs are a concern for every employer. CaliforniaChoice helps you stay in control by:

• Setting a fixed monthly contribution
• Avoiding unpredictable premium increases
• Offering plan options at multiple price points

At the same time, employees gain flexibility without increasing your budget.

That’s a win-win:

• You control costs
• Employees feel empowered

Simple Administration, Even with More Choices

More options doesn’t mean more work. With CaliforniaChoice, you still get:

• One easy monthly bill
• One streamlined program
• Online tools to manage your benefits

Even if employees choose different plans, everything stays simple on your end.

More Than Just Health Coverage

Today’s employees expect more from their benefits and CaliforniaChoice delivers there, too. Along with health coverage, members get access to valuable extras like:

• Pre-tax savings with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Prescription discounts (up to 80%)
• Fitness and wellness discounts
• Savings on vision, hearing, and pet insurance
• Entertainment, travel, and retail perks

These added benefits help employees stretch their dollars and feel more supported overall.

Trust Starts with Choice

If employees don’t trust their health plan, it’s not just a perception problem, it’s a design problem. Giving employees more control over their benefits can make a real difference. CaliforniaChoice helps you:

• Rebuild employee trust in health plans
• Offer flexible, personalized health benefits
• Control costs without cutting value

When employees choose a plan that fits their needs, they’re far more likely to believe it’s working in their best interest.

Get Started Today

Getting started is easy. Talk with your health insurance broker to get a custom quote for your employees. If you don’t already have a broker, it’s easy to search for one at MyCalChoice.com.