Back to top

Group Health and Group Voluntary: A Brief Comparison

Allstate's 2021 acquisition of National General combined the forces of two insurers to offer an expanded product selection under one trusted Allstate brand name. The acquisition also further enhanced the portfolio of group insurance products offered by Allstate Benefits.

Today, the expanded array of products from Allstate Benefits includes group health benefits (formerly National General) and group voluntary benefits, all designed to meet the needs of the American workforce. How are they similar? How are they different? Read on to find out.

Smiling woman at laptop, shaking hand of another woman.

How they are similar

First and most importantly, both product categories allow employers to help their employees address the financial impacts of medical care.

Health care costs neared $13,000 per capita in 2021, and continue to climb each year.1 For employers, it is becoming more challenging to offer affordable insurance to help cover these costs.

Group health benefits and group voluntary benefits can help deliver big savings to customers. Both also may offer add-on coverage perks in the form of wellness and preventive care programs as well as virtual care options. These types of features are becoming increasingly attractive to consumers.

Benefits are also a top recruitment and retention tool. Both group health and group voluntary coverage offer affordable options to help employers recruit, reward and retain top talent.

Group Health in a nutshell

This business area provides small- and mid-sized business owners with options for affordable major medical group health benefits. Designed as an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance plans, the Self-Funded Program is available in most states to groups with as few as two eligible lives.

Here's how it works: Employers choose from a broad set of plan designs, network options, and cost containment features. They use level-funding to manage their expected claims costs and when claims are lower than expected, they may receive a refund for the difference. Larger employers may also choose traditional funding, keeping those dollars in their pockets to pay claims only as needed.2

Also, the Self-Funded Program includes stop-loss insurance to protect businesses from catastrophic loss above and beyond the expected claims cost for the year. Click here to learn more about the Self-Funded Program.

Allstate Benefits also offers Secure Choice, a small group fully insured product available in Texas, Florida and Indiana. Learn more about Secure Choice by clicking here.

Group Voluntary in a nutshell

While group voluntary benefits can also help employees cover health care costs, they work a bit differently than the group health programs above.

Group voluntary benefits are employee-paid insurance products that provide a cash benefit when an employee experiences a qualifying diagnosis. These benefits are paid regardless of any other insurance the employee may have in place. The cash benefit is paid directly to the insured and may be used in any way they'd like—to pay for out-of-pocket medical costs such as copays, deductibles and coinsurance, or to pay bills or other living expenses.

Employees enjoy discounted group rates and employers can rest assured knowing that group voluntary benefits don't impact their bottom line.

Signature group voluntary products from Allstate Benefits include the following.

Click here to contact a sales consultant to learn more about all the products available from Allstate Benefits.

1Trends in health care spending | Health care costs in the US | AMA (ama-assn.org)

2In years when claims are lower than expected, a portion (or all, depending on the plan selection) of the difference between the group's anticipated and actual claims is credited back to the employer. Refund is subject to any Terminal Liability Coverage fee.

The Self-Funded Program through Allstate Benefits provides tools for employers owning small to mid-sized businesses to establish a self-funded health benefit plan for their employees. The benefit plan is established by the employer and is not an insurance product. Allstate Benefits is a marketing name for: Integon National Insurance Company in CT, NY and VT; Integon Indemnity Corporation in FL; and National Health Insurance Company in CO, WA and all other states where offered. For employers in the Allstate Benefits Self-Funded Program, stop loss insurance is underwritten by these insurance companies in the noted states.

Related Articles:

Business partners shaking hands.

Allstate Benefits & National General: Doing More for Employers

2023 trend report for voluntary insurance

Voluntary Insurance Trend Report 2023

Three women collaborating using post-its on a board.

4 Reasons to Pick Our Self-Funded Program

We are Allstate Benefits

From innovative group health coverage to our industry-leading portfolio of group supplemental insurance products, we have the experience, knowledge and service you need, and a name you know and trust.

Learn more about us

Allstate Benefits Logo.
Allstate Benefits Logo.

you're in good hands

ECC Monitor: OK