2018 Workforce Game Changer: Nathan Counts

With the U.S. health care system in flux, there’s great opportunity for forward-thinking benefits professionals to do something innovative and create change.

Nathan Counts is one of those individuals. He and his team at communications giant AT&T design benefit plans that impact over a million people including employees, dependents and retirees.

Counts, 37, represents the future of successful health plan design, “bringing the human side to the analytical side of benefits,” according to AT&T Vice President of Global Benefits Marty Webb.

While he has worked to make AT&T’s design decisions truly data-driven, Counts has also impacted recruitment at the company by attracting many applicants with strong skills.

Together, they’re a powerful and analytical design team.

As Counts consistently educates himself through continuing education courses on big data, statistical analysis and more, many of his team members have followed his lead to stay up to date on relevant courses.

Counts also cares about the people impacted by his benefits plans. He’s especially proud of the investments his company has made in expanding access to fertility benefits and behavioral therapy for those on the autism spectrum.

“All of these were sizable investments in our employees, but it puts a smile on your face knowing at these great moments of need you’re able to deliver a truly great benefit,” Counts said.

Go here to read about the rest of our 2018 Game Changers

 “Benefits are personal; it means when you get it right you can have very meaningful impact on people’s lives.”

— Andie Burjek