How voluntary supplemental health plans help employees cover medical costs
An unexpected medical bill is one of the biggest financial concerns many American workers face. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll shows more than half of U.S. adults (57%) are very or somewhat worried about being able to pay an unexpected medical bill, outweighing concerns about paying for housing, utilities, food or prescription medications. Perhaps more surprising is this concern isn’t limited to the uninsured. In fact, 42% of those with insurance say they’re worried about their ability to pay medical bills if they get sick or have an accident. Rising health care costs, reduced transparency in the care process, and lower personal savings combine to create potentially dangerous gaps in employees’ health and well-being.
And health care costs often extend far beyond doctor and hospital bills. Even the best major medical insurance can leave employees with significant out-of-pocket expenses for copayments and coinsurance in addition to noncovered expenses such as transportation or lodging for treatment, assistive devices, child care and other everyday bills that still need to be paid while employees miss work due to illness or injury.
Employers can help employees bridge this gap and protect their financial well-being by including voluntary supplemental coverage in their benefits packages.
Benefits employers offer
Not surprisingly, employers continue to be most likely to offer medical, dental, prescription drug and vision insurance as either employer-paid, employer-employee share or employee-paid coverage, according to Eastbridge Consulting Group’s 2024 MarketVision™—The Employer Viewpoint© report. However, nearly half (47%) offer accident coverage and about a third offer critical illness (34%) or hospital indemnity/supplemental medical (31%).
Accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity/supplemental medical also are among the top 10 products employers offer as a voluntary benefit. And potential for these products is high: Hospital indemnity/supplemental medical and critical illness are both in the top three products ranked by sales potential index, which compares the percentage of employers that do not offer each product and the percentage interested in offering it on a voluntary basis.
Why employers offer voluntary
Addressing the financial well-being of employees is one of the most important factors employers cite when they decide to offer voluntary benefits, along with employee interest in the products, and helping recruit and retain employees. Eastbridge’s survey also shows improved employee well-being and improved financial protection from out-of-pocket medical costs are among the most important outcomes employers hope to achieve by offering voluntary benefits. Providing a safety net against rising medical costs has grown in importance in recent years, increasing 20% between 2022 and 2024.
Employee interest in supplemental health coverage
Employee interest in and demand for additional financial protection benefits is driving growth in supplemental health products. Almost half of employees own accident coverage, and more than one-quarter own hospital indemnity/supplemental medical and critical illness products, according to Eastbridge’s 2025 MarketVision™—The Employee Viewpoint© report. And they’re willing to pay for this coverage: Accident is one of the top two products employees own on a voluntary basis.
Employees are less likely to own voluntary critical illness or hospital indemnity/supplemental medical plans — but both types of coverage rank in the top five products employees are most interested in purchasing, according to Eastbridge’s voluntary buying interest index. The index is calculated based on the percentage of employees who don’t own the product at all and the percentage interested in purchasing it on a voluntary basis.
Why employees buy voluntary coverage
There’s no denying price matters. Reasonable cost for the coverage is the top reason employees cite for buying voluntary benefits — meaning the premiums are affordable for the value these products deliver. But rating nearly as highly are two closely tied reasons: the products meet employees’ needs, and they help fill gaps in medical coverage.
Research shows employers and employees alike are concerned about the potential impact of unexpected medical bills and spiraling health care costs. Voluntary supplemental health benefits including hospital indemnity/supplemental medical, critical illness and accident coverage offer an affordable solution that can help provide the financial protection employees need.
5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) is dedicated to a collaborative experience with brokers and employers to meet the needs of today’s workforce with benefits solutions and a consumer experience that is second to none. Discover more about 5Star Life, our products and services, and our commitment to partnering with you by visiting us at 5starlifeinsurance.com.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data, 2024 MarketVision™—The Employer Viewpoint© report, Eastbridge Consulting Group, 2025 MarketVision™—The Employee Viewpoint© report, Eastbridge Consulting Group
New board member brings valuable market expertise
ALEXANDRIA, VA – 5Star Life Insurance Company announced today the appointment of Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) John F. Sampa to its Board of Directors, effective September 1, 2022.
“It is our pleasure to welcome Command Sergeant Major John Sampa to the 5Star Life Board of Directors. His experience in the Army and National Guard markets, as well as the First Responder market, will help enhance the service and protection that we provide for 5Star Life customers and AFBA members,” said General Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.), Chair and President of 5Star Life.
Command Sergeant Major (CSM) John F. Sampa was appointed as the 12th Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard on 15 February 2018. He joined the United States Army on 30 April 1987 and served in the Army National Guard and the United States Army, retiring with 35 years of service. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major on 8 April 2009. Prior to becoming the Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, he served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Texas Military Department. CSM Sampa was previously the Command Sergeant Major for the 36th Infantry Division for more than three years. He was mobilized for combat duty three times and deployed overseas for combat operations in Bosnia and twice to Iraq and was a prominent leader in the Columbia Space Shuttle recovery mission in east Texas. His military and civilian education includes all Noncommissioned Officer Education System levels. He was employed with the Texas Department of Public Safety in the Highway Patrol Division for more than 27 years in concurrence with his military service. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, the National Defense University Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course, the Texas Highway Patrol Academy and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Cumberlands.
“His addition exemplifies our commitment to create a board with the right balance of market expertise and business experience,” added General Spencer.
About 5Star Life
5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) is the primary underwriter of the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) member policies. In addition, it extends the enterprise’s mission to civilians serving our country in the workplace. As a growing provider of group and worksite voluntary products, 5Star Life serves a diverse clientele as an insurance provider to individuals and organizations and as a trusted advisor to brokers. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, 5Star Life is currently licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
About Armed Forces Benefit Association
With the support of the General of the Army, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) was established in 1947 in the basement of the Pentagon to ease the strain on military members and their families who, at the time, could not purchase life insurance that would pay a death benefit if the member was killed in combat. Today, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, AFBA continues to honor its mission, in war and peace, promoting the welfare of its members providing death benefits and other benefits to those who serve this great nation, including members of the uniformed services, first responders, government employees, and their families. AFBA has over 650,000 members with $40 billion of death benefits in force and has paid nearly $2 billion of death benefits since inception. AFBA death benefits are underwritten by its affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company (a Lincoln, Nebraska domiciled company).
Recognition Validates Strategic Plan in the Voluntary Market
ALEXANDRIA, VA – 5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) was recognized for voluntary sales growth in the small carrier category ($10 million to $49.9 million in sales) by East Bridge Consulting Group based on its 2020 U.S. Voluntary/Worksite Sales Report.
“I am pleased to see 5Star Life recognized in the marketplace. I feel deeply grateful for the board’s guidance and unwavering support and extremely proud of our employees whose efforts this past year made this possible,” said 5Star Life President General Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.).
The report recognized 5Star Life as one of five in the small carrier category to achieve voluntary sales growth in 2020 out of thirteen eligible carriers. At an industry level, voluntary sales were down 15.5% in 2020 over the prior year, as carriers were challenged by the pandemic. Employee communication and engagement required agility from brokers, carriers, and clients in finding a new path forward.
“Being recognized by Eastbridge Consulting Group is an honor. Our sales strategy over the past few years has been to strengthen relationships with sales partners while honing our market focus. This recognition is validation of those efforts,” said Kimo Wong, Senior Vice President and Chief Distribution Officer. “I look forward to building on the success of the team to continue growing the business.”
“Our value proposition is rooted in providing excellent service with steadfast attention to what matters most to our partners complemented by a growing product portfolio and engagement resources. Our brokers and sales partners know and understand the market, while our employees continue to deliver excellent service to brokers, employers, and customers,” said Sal Campanile, Vice President of Worksite & Group Benefit Sales. “We’ve built a strong and agile team, and I am excited about the future.”
About 5Star Life Insurance Company
5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) is the primary underwriter of the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) member policies and is also a growing provider of group and worksite voluntary products. Its business model enables 5Star Life to serve the needs of a diverse clientele as an insurance advisor to individuals and organizations and as a trusted partner to brokers. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, 5Star Life is currently licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
About Armed Forces Benefit Association
With the support of the General of the Army, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) was established in 1947 in the basement of the Pentagon to ease the strain on military members and their families who, at the time, could not purchase life insurance that would pay a death benefit if the member was killed in combat. Today, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, AFBA continues to honor its mission, in war and peace, promoting the welfare of its members providing death benefits and other benefits to those who serve this great nation, including members of the uniformed services, first responders, government employees, and their families. AFBA has 535,000 members with $40 billion of survivor benefits in force and $2 billion paid since inception. AFBA survivor benefits are underwritten by its affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company (a Lincoln, Nebraska domiciled company).
ALEXANDRIA, VA – 5Star Life Insurance Company announced today the appointment of 5Star Life President, General Larry O. Spencer, as new Chair of the Board, effective January 1, 2023. He will continue to hold the post of President.
“It has been an honor to serve as President of 5Star Life these past few years, and I look forward to my new role. I would like to thank General Eberhart for his contributions to 5Star Life as Chair and for his constant and thoughtful guidance. Working alongside our board of directors, I feel confident that 5Star Life will continue to thrive in its dual mission: first, as the primary underwriter of the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) member policies, and second, as a growing provider of group and worksite voluntary products,” said General Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.), Chair and President of 5Star Life and President of AFBA.
Larry O. Spencer spent more than 40 years in the Air Force, beginning his career in the enlisted ranks and rising to become a four-star general. General Spencer’s last assignment was as the Vice Chief of Staff of the US Air Force where he assisted the Chief of Staff in organizing, training, and equipping 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces. After retiring from the Air Force in 2015, General Spencer served as President of the Air Force Association until 2019. General Spencer received his Bachelor of Science Degree in industrial engineering technology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and has two Master of Science degrees. He serves on the boards of Whirlpool Corporation, Triumph Group, Inc., and Haynes International, Inc. General Spencer became a member of the AFBA Board in February 2020. He was named AFBA President in March 2020 and 5Star Life Insurance Company President in June 2020.
About 5Star Life Insurance Company
5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) is the primary underwriter of the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) member policies and is also a growing provider of group and worksite voluntary products. Its business model enables 5Star Life to serve the needs of a diverse clientele as an insurance advisor to individuals and organizations, and as a trusted partner to brokers. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, 5Star Life is currently licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.