The annual report reveals that while a majority of benefit leaders view their healthcare benefits as the best possible for their workforce, they are aware that their employees may need more — and they’re concerned about the rising costs.

"Employers believe they’re providing the best healthcare benefits possible given their financial constraints. Those employers willing to go beyond table stakes benefits are better positioned to address wellness holistically, from family-building assistance to an array of digital health tools."

A new editorial research report from Arizent, parent company of Employee Benefit News, sponsored by Quantum Health, a leader in healthcare navigation and care coordination, explores the current state of healthcare benefits for employers and their employees in 2023. The study reveals that while a majority of benefit leaders view their benefits as the best possible for their workforce, they are aware that their employees may need more — and they’re concerned about the rising costs.

The research shows that employers and employees share an optimistic view of current benefits offerings. But while employers are confident their employees have the resources to make good healthcare decisions, a majority of employees do not get any help navigating their healthcare benefits. This can lead to frustration and hesitancy to seek care, which is no doubt why both employers and employees say their healthcare navigation tools could be better.
In fact, healthcare navigation is at the bottom of employers’ and employees’ rankings. Approximately 50% of employers report feeling less confident in their healthcare navigation benefits and 26% of employees feel either minimally satisfied or completely unsatisfied with the navigation tools they are being offered.

“Employers generally believe they’re providing the best healthcare benefits possible given their financial constraints,” says Janet King, VP of Research for Arizent. “They should continue to evaluate their offerings to make sure they’re accessible and effective, especially on the virtual health front. Those employers who are willing to go beyond table stakes benefits are better positioned to address wellness more holistically, from family-building assistance to an array of digital health tools.”

And the majority of employers are looking to go beyond. Despite financial constraints, the report shows that 53% of benefits leaders are getting creative by offering innovative benefits instead of traditional plans. Over 80% reported having digital tools for healthcare navigation, fitness tracking, chronic condition management and more.
When it comes to the benefits being used the most, mental health support, family-building assistance and paid parental leave land toward the bottom, while more standard benefits like health insurance, dental insurance, paid sick leave and vision insurance are at the top.

“While this may sway employers from investing in more ‘innovative’ healthcare benefits, it’s crucial to note that receiving mental health help, or taking months of planned leave to care for a new child, may be subconsciously frowned upon in the employee’s work culture or discouraged by management,” King continues. “Just because a benefit is offered doesn’t mean employees will feel empowered to use it.”
The full report can be downloaded here: https://www.benefitnews.com/research-report/the-state-of-healthcare-2023-is-your-benefits-game-plan-working-and-designed-to-endure
Research Methodology

This research was conducted online by Arizent/Employee Benefit News between January and February 2023. To qualify, the 165 respondents to the employer survey had to be involved in making benefits decisions for their company and the 517 respondents to the employee survey had to receive healthcare benefits from their employer.
For more information on this survey or other Arizent research, contact:
Janet King
Vice President, Research
Arizent
janet.king@arizent.com
M 207-807-4806