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Why You Should Actually Use Your Company’s SIMRP Wellness Program

Better Health + More Benefits + More Money

If your company offers a wellness program with incentives and you’re not using it, you’re basically leaving free health, money, and sanity on the table. And who in their right mind turns that down? The simple answer is more people than you’d think. Which is wild, because a lot of these programs exist to boost your total compensation, your access to health care resources, and to make your life a little better at work and outside of it. Let’s break this down without corporate fluff.


SIMRP, Not SMURF


SIMRP stands for Self-Insured Medical Reimbursement Program, and that’s the most technical term you’ll need to know. It’s a type of company wellness program that saves money for both you and your employer. You get more healthcare resources, insurance benefits, and monthly savings. All at zero cost to you.


Why It Matters for You


Over 60% of employees are stressed about money. Maybe that’s you. Rising costs and surprise medical bills keep people from protecting their health. A SIMRP helps change that. Most participants can avoid 90% of all minor medical expenses for $0 copay and $0 deductible. SIMRPs usually come equipped with:


  1. 24/7 telemedicine – Handle urgent care visits, prescription refills, screenings, and lab referrals from home.

  2. Mental health support – Six free sessions with licensed clinicians each year, plus a self-help library for each member and every one of their dependents.

  3. Diet & exercise programs – Resources to keep your energy and health on track.


If you can take a picture of your lunch, you can use telehealth or submit an online claim.



Even More Protection


When looking at jobs, employees usually ask what benefits are included.


What they mean is, “What benefits are included that I don’t have to pay for?” Eligible employees participating in their company’s SIMRP gain a handful of supplemental benefits paid for by the program, typically valued around $185 per person. These supplemental coverages include:


  1. Term life insurance

  2. Whole life insurance

  3. Short-term disability

  4. Critical illness coverage

  5. Accident expense protection

  6. Hospital indemnity insurance


These are fully paid for by the program, so you keep more of your paycheck.


The Myth About “Company Benefits” Being a Hassle


Some people don’t bother signing up because they think using company benefits is like wrestling a fax machine—outdated, slow, and confusing. But here’s the truth: SIMRP is designed to be simple. Eligible employees participating in their company’s wellness program save money by:


  1. Using the wellness program’s resources instead of their traditional health insurance—so no one gets hit with a bill later.

  2. Filing claims throughout the year for any major medical expense covered by the supplemental policies paid for by the program.


If you have enough technical savvy to take a picture of your lunch, then you also have enough know-how to meet with a telehealth provider virtually or submit a claim online.


The Bigger Picture


Healthy employees take fewer sick days, have more energy, and are generally less cranky on Monday mornings. That’s not just good for the company—it’s good for you. If your team is healthier, you’re not constantly picking up extra work for someone out sick. You’re also more likely to have a workplace culture that values people, not just productivity.


Plus, let’s be real: if your employer is sponsoring a program to help keep you healthy and to pay for more of your benefits, it makes sense to grab it while it’s on the table. Programs like SIMRP don’t exist at every company. Treat it like a limited-time offer, because in some ways, it is.


Bottom Line

For eligible employees, a SIMRP isn’t just a “perk.” It’s part of your total pay package. Ignoring it is like saying no to a raise. If you’re eligible, use it. Protect your health, protect your finances, and get every dollar of value your employer is offering. You’ll thank yourself later.



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