Infographic: Employers move to tackle healthcare affordability

Managing healthcare benefit costs is the top priority for 94% of employers^*

Biggest challenge to effectively deliver on healthcare strategy, 73% said increasing healthcare prices due to rising inflation or provider consolidation

^*over next 2 years

Nearly 2/3 of employers will take action to address affordability over next 2 years

Main focus:

• 48% low-wage workers
• 40% employees with chronic conditions

Approaches include:

• 55% improving quality and outcomes to lower overall costs
• 41% Adding/Enhancing low- or no-cost coverage for certain benefits
• 36% changing plan design
• 34% Adding/Enhancing vendor solutions and voluntary benefits in case of a catastrophic event

95% of employers expect to further boost their affordability efforts with virtual medical and behavioral healthcare

61% look to offer lower member cost sharing for using virtual care by end of 2023

55% expect virtual care model to lower healthcare costs over next 3 to 5 years

Actions you can take now!

• Evaluate healthcare affordability across all workforce segments
• Assess how design changes, such as salary banded contributions or narrow provider networks, could make healthcare affordable for low-wage workers
• Evaluate if a quality-based steerage and/or navigation program strategy could lower your overall costs
• Assess how to expend the use of virtual care to better manage costs