If you’re already offering health insurance to your employees—great! That’s a big win for your team and your business. But have you thought about going beyond just medical coverage?

That’s where Ancillary benefits come in. These extras—like dental, vision, chiropractic, and even pet insurance—are the kind of perks that make employees feel cared for, boost morale, and help your business stand out as a top employer.

Why Ancillary Benefits Matter

Your employees are all different—ages, family needs, health priorities. Offering a one-size-fits-all health plan may not cut it anymore. Ancillary benefits let them customize their coverage, so everyone gets what works best for them.

A good benefits program can help you:

• Help you attract and keep great employees
• Improve morale and team spirit
• Support employee health and reduce stress
• Keep productivity high
• Show your team you care

Here’s the best part: you decide if your business pays all, part, or none of the premiums. You can offer employer-paid plans, voluntary coverage (100% paid by employees), or a mix of both.

The Most Popular Ancillary Benefits

Here’s a look at the most popular ancillary perks employees love.

Dental Insurance: According to the National Association of Dental Plans in 2023, roughly 87% of Americans have it, and most get coverage through their job.

Vision Coverage: About 67% of U.S. adults have some form of managed vision care coverage, according to The Vision Counsel’s VisionWatch Consumer InSights Q4 2024 study. Employer-sponsored programs account for about half of those with a vision benefit.

Chiropractic & Acupuncture: 

Life Insurance:

Pet Insurance: A newer, fact-growing benefit that employees with pets appreciate and find value in

Offering these benefits gives your employees access to affordable group rates, simple payroll deductions, and tax savings through pre-tax plans. And for your business? Low costs, happier employees, and less turnover. .

Ancillary Benefit Choices

If you’re a CaliforniaChoice customer, you’ve already have access to a full suite of ancillary benefits for your team:

• Dental: You can choose from three options, including a MetLife Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plan, SmileSaver DHMO, or Ameritas PPO coverage.
• Vision: The Voluntary Vision Program offers CaliforniaChoice members comprehensive eyecare benefits and prescription eyewear.
• Chiropractic and Acupuncture: Landmark Healthplan offers CaliforniaChoice members benefits like examinations, adjustments, and acupuncture treatment and herbal therapies for a low monthly premium.
• Life and AD&D: Assurity Life offers multiple Life Insurance options, Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage, and a living benefits provision.

In addition, through the CaliforniaChoice Member Value Suite, your employees who are CaliforniaChoice members can take advantage of:

• Reduced-fee dental care services through a nationwide network of more than 20,000 Dentegra® Smile Club providers.
• Discounts on eye examinations, frames, and lenses at Pearle Vision, LensCrafters, and Target Optical, and independent providers participating in the EyeMed Vision One Eyecare program.
• Up to 50% savings on hearing-related products, hearing tests, and more from EPIC Hearing.
• Prescription drug savings when using the California Rx Card; you may be able to reduce your cost to less than your Rx copay with insurance.
• Cal Perks discounts on theme parks, water parks, sporting events, museums, hotels, and much more.
• Fitness and wellness savings on Garmin, Fitbit, and more plus fitness memberships and access to the Active&Fit program where you can find your perfect gym for just $28 per month.

 The Member Marketplace gives CaliforniaChoice members access to other options, too, including:

• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Legal Plans

Just Added: Pet Insurance from MetLife and Spot

A 2023 study by Wisevoter found that more than half (57.2%) of California households own at least one pet. Nationwide, the percentage is slightly higher – at 59%. With that in mind, CaliforniaChoice recently announced the availability of pet insurance from MetLife and Spot.

These new plans are designed to help pet parents protect their wallets from the escalating cost of:

• Accidents and emergencies
• Illnesses, including cancer treatment
• Surgery and hospitalization
• Diagnostic tests, X-rays, and lab work
• Preventive care (with optional add-ons)
• Prescription medications
• And more!

To learn more, including the multi pet discount, read our related blog here. ADD LINK TO OTHER POST

Ancillary Options from ChoiceBuilder

If you’re not yet a CaliforniaChoice customer, you might be interested in learning about the Ancillary insurance options available through our sister exchange, ChoiceBuilder.

Ancillary options include Dental plans from Ameritas, Anthem Blue Cross, Delta Dental, and MetLife; Vision coverage from EyeMed and VSP; Chiropractic and Acupuncture from Landmark Healthplan; and Life Insurance from Assurity Life and MetLife.

You can offer a single type of coverage, like Dental or Vision, or you can give employees the option to select from the full roster. It all depends on what you and your employees want. And, of course, what fits your budget. Coverage can be employer sponsored, voluntary, or a combination of the two.

Ask Your Broker How CHOICE Can Help!

CaliforniaChoice and ChoiceBuilder offer you the ability to easily add Ancillary coverage for your employees. To learn more and to get a personalized quote for your business and your employees, talk with your broker. If you don’t already have a broker, we make it easy for you to connect with one.