SustainableHR PEO has expanded its PEO benefits lineup with a new medical plan option through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The addition gives small and midsize employers more flexibility in how they provide health coverage, particularly businesses with employees working in more than one state.
The Anthem option sits alongside the large-group Dean Health Plan by Medica plan that SustainableHR PEO clients already rely on. Together, the two options allow employers to choose the medical plan that best fits the size, structure and location of their workforce.
What the New Anthem Option Includes
Through the SustainableHR PEO partnership, qualifying employers can establish their own Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield medical plan with access to large-group pricing.
The plan also includes nationwide PPO access through the BlueCard® network. BlueCard is the Blue Cross and Blue Shield program that connects members with participating doctors and hospitals across the country, which allows employees to receive in-network care outside their home state.
For employers, this means one medical plan can support a workforce located in several states rather than only in the area where the business is headquartered.
Two Medical Plan Options Through One PEO
SustainableHR PEO now offers two distinct medical plan paths. Both are administered through the same PEO relationship, so employers work with one partner regardless of which option they select.
Large-Group Dean Health Plan by Medica
The large-group Dean Health Plan by Medica plan remains available to SustainableHR PEO clients. It’s designed to deliver strong value and local access, which makes it well suited for employers whose employees are based primarily in Wisconsin.
Members have access to established Wisconsin health systems, Dean Health System by Medica and SSM Health.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Plan
The Anthem option is designed for employers that need broader geographic reach. Qualifying employers receive their own Anthem BCBS medical plan, access to large-group pricing through the PEO partnership and nationwide PPO access through the BlueCard® network. Members have access to established Wisconsin health systems, UW Health, UnityPoint Health – Meriter, Mercyhealth, Aurora Health Care, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin to name just a few.
This option is especially relevant for companies with a large population of remote employees, satellite offices or plans to hire outside Wisconsin.
Why Nationwide Access Matters for Small and Midsize Employers
Distributed workforces are no longer limited to large corporations. Many small and midsize businesses now employ people in multiple states, whether through remote hiring, field staff or expansion into new markets.
Benefits haven’t always kept pace with that shift. A medical plan built around a regional network may serve employees near headquarters well while giving out-of-state employees fewer in-network choices. That gap can create an inconsistent experience across the workforce and make it harder to compete for talent in other markets.
Large-group pricing has historically presented a similar challenge. Larger organizations can often secure more favorable terms because of the number of employees they cover, while smaller employers have had fewer options.
A professional employer organization (PEO) helps address both issues. By bringing employers together under one partnership, a PEO can provide access to benefits and pricing that would be difficult for a smaller company to obtain on its own. The Anthem option extends that advantage beyond state lines.
Supporting Access to Care in Wisconsin and Beyond
A medical plan is only valuable if employees can use it where they live. For Wisconsin-based teams, SustainableHR PEO plan options include access to trusted regional systems such as UW Health, Dean Health System, SSM Health and Mercyhealth.
For employers with a wider footprint, the Anthem option adds a broad network of providers throughout Wisconsin and across the United States. Employees can seek in-network care closer to home, whether that home is in Madison or several states away.
A Complete PEO Benefits and HR Solution
Medical coverage is one part of a broader benefits and HR package that SustainableHR PEO provides to small and midsize employers.
Benefit offerings include medical through either Dean Health Plan by Medica or Anthem BCBS, dental and vision coverage, life and disability benefits, and additional voluntary benefits.
Employers can also offer a 401(k) option through Slavic401k, a retirement plan provider that works with PEOs and their clients.
On the HR side, SustainableHR PEO provides payroll and HR technology, dedicated HR and payroll support, and multi-state HR and compliance support. Clients also have access to recruiting and executive search capabilities. Learn more about SustainableHR PEO HR, payroll and benefits services.
Multi-state compliance support is particularly important for employers with distributed teams. Each state has its own employment laws, tax requirements and reporting obligations, and keeping track of them can place a significant burden on a small HR team.
Which Employers Should Consider the Anthem Option
Selecting the right medical plan is an important decision, and the best choice depends on the specific needs of each business.
SustainableHR PEO works with employers to review their workforce, current benefits and growth plans before recommending an option.
The Anthem option is intended for small and midsize employers, with particular value for businesses that have employees in more than one state.
Employers may want to evaluate this option if they’ve recently hired remote employees outside Wisconsin, opened a location in another state, or expect to expand into new markets. It may also be a good fit for companies that want to offer a more competitive benefits package when recruiting outside their local area.
Employers with a primarily Wisconsin-based workforce can continue to benefit from the large-group Dean Health Plan by Medica option and its strong local access.
Questions to Consider Before Choosing a Plan
Before selecting a medical plan option, employers can benefit from reviewing a few key factors.
The first is workforce location. Consider where employees live today and where the business is likely to hire over the next several years. A team concentrated in one region may have different needs than a team spread across several states.
The second is employee priorities. Some employees place the greatest value on continuing with local providers they already know, while others need flexibility to find in-network care when they travel or relocate.
The third is administrative capacity. Employers with limited internal HR resources may benefit from consolidating medical coverage, ancillary benefits, payroll and compliance with one PEO partner.
Many Wisconsin employers have already taken this approach. Read more about why small businesses across Wisconsin are choosing a PEO.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New PEO Benefits Option
What’s new in SustainableHR PEO medical plan offerings?
SustainableHR PEO has added an Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield medical plan option. The existing large-group Dean Health Plan by Medica plan remains available, giving employers two medical plan options to choose from.
How does a PEO provide access to large-group pricing?
A PEO brings multiple employers together under one partnership, which can give smaller businesses access to benefits pricing typically available to larger organizations. Through SustainableHR PEO, qualifying employers can have their own Anthem medical plan with access to large-group pricing.
What does BlueCard® network access mean for employees?
BlueCard is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield program that connects members with participating providers nationwide. For employees enrolled in the Anthem option, it means PPO access to in-network care across the United States.
Is the Anthem option available to Wisconsin employers?
Yes. The Anthem option is available to qualifying employers, including Wisconsin-based businesses. It’s especially useful for companies with employees in multiple states.
What other benefits does SustainableHR PEO offer?
In addition to medical coverage, SustainableHR PEO offers dental, vision, life and disability benefits, voluntary benefits and a 401(k) option through Slavic401k. Clients also receive payroll and HR technology, dedicated HR support and multi-state compliance support.
Expanding Benefits Access for Growing Employers
The addition of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield reflects a long-standing goal at SustainableHR PEO: giving small and midsize employers access to the same level of HR, technology and benefits solutions available to much larger organizations.
With Wisconsin roots and nationwide capabilities, SustainableHR PEO is positioned to support employers whether their teams are located in one community or across the country.
Small and midsize employers interested in learning more about the new Anthem option or the full SustainableHR PEO benefits package can contact the SustainableHR PEO team to schedule a conversation.
