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Health Equity, Pandemic Impact Affecting Top Concerns as Companies Modify Benefits

Health Equity, Pandemic Impact Affecting Top Concerns as Companies Modify Benefits

Sept. 7, 2021
Business Group on Health study says employers are also focusing on both mental health and on-site clinics.

 The survey also showed that top concerns include expanding access to mental health care, monitoring trends in health care delivery and preparing for an uptick in health care spending.

“The Business Group’s annual survey is a unique window into how large employers plan to evolve their benefits strategies and offerings in the coming year,” said Ellen Kelsay, CEO of Business Group on Health, said in a statement. “Employers seek information about their peers’ strategies, and survey findings offer collective guidance for companies to best support their workforces.” 

The 136 large employers who took part in the Business Group survey in June 2021 represent diverse sectors of industry and provide health insurance for more than 8 million people. 

More details on the employers’ top areas of concern: 

Anticipating COVID-19’s potential long-term impact on employees

As a result of the pandemic, doctor visits and preventive screenings were delayed or missed, while depression, anxiety and substance use disorders surged. Employers anticipate seeing an increase in medical services, late-stage cancer diagnoses and greater numbers of people with long-term mental health and substance use issues, for years to come. For instance, 94% of employers anticipate an increase in medical services due to delayed care, while 91% remain concerned about long-term mental health issues stemming from the pandemic. 

Focusing on social determinants of health to boost health equity and promote systemic change

Employers are initiating far-reaching programs to better employees’ lives, including improved access to health care and financial programs. As such, they help to address the underlying social and economic challenges that influence regular health habits, overall well-being and even mortality rates, with the goal of creating systemic change. 

Expanding access to mental health care 

While the pandemic helped to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and the workplace, the year 2022 will mark the first time that a majority of employers will have an anti-stigma campaign, according to the survey. Access to mental health care is a top priority, according to more than three-quarters of large employers. 

Valuing the role of on-site medical clinics, even as virtual health becomes more popular 

Fully 76% of employers accelerated telehealth and virtual health offerings since the start of the pandemic, and plan to maintain these options. Employers also see a role for on-site clinics, however, both to manage COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and to track employees’ chronic conditions. While the number of employers offering on- or near-site clinics declined between 2020 and 2021, the prevalence of such clinics is expected to eventually return to pre-pandemic levels. 

Preparing for health care spending to rebound in 2021 and 2022. 

In 2020, the overall health care trend was 0%, though some employers experienced a negative trend, dropping to as low as -12%. In 2021, health care trend is predicted to increase to 6% both before and after plan design changes. In 2022, the cost trend is expected to decline slightly, dropping from 6% to 5.8% after plan design changes.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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