B E N C H M A R K S T U D Y

2016 Healthcare Benefits Trends

healthcaretrendsinstitute.org

2

20

16

HE

AL

TH

CA

RE

BE

NE

FIT

S T

RE

ND

S

BackgroundThe Healthcare Trends Institute, an educational platform focused on

the rapidly changing healthcare benefits industry, conducted its annual employer healthcare benefits study from June through December 2015. The national survey went to more than 250 human resources (HR) executives, benefit specialists and other benefit decision-makers from organizations ranging in employee size from less than 50 to over 2,500. Employer-sponsored benefit trends continue to evolve in the era of healthcare reform and Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance requirements. Organizational goals remain reflected in the types of benefits they offer their employees, as well as their promotion of healthcare consumerism and wellness initiatives backed by incentives.

This survey includes findings and insights that formed the basis for the 2016 Healthcare Benefits trends report on the following topics:

CURRENT HEALTHCARE BENEFIT OFFERINGS:

Identifies current employer health and wellness programs and measures the impact of new healthcare reform initiatives on companies’ strategic areas of focus.

INTEREST IN AND USE OF HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLANS, HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, WELLNESS PROGRAMS, DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS, AND PRIVATE EXCHANGES:

Explores employers’ views on implementing HDHPs and HSAs, adopting wellness programs and new wellness incentives, moving to a defined contribution plan and private exchange platform in an effort to reduce costs, promote healthy lifestyles, and stay in compliance.

HEALTHCARE BENEFIT TRENDS – LOOKING FORWARD:

Recognizes new approaches and timelines employers are considering in the selection and adoption of future health and wellness benefit offerings.

3

20

16

HE

AL

TH

CA

RE

BE

NE

FIT

S T

RE

ND

S

Study Highlights• Employers remain committed to offering health benefits and believe benefit

offerings are important to attracting and retaining talented employees

• Continued interest grows among employers to learn and understand more about Defined Contribution Plans

• Employers are already exploring and adopting wellness and healthy lifestyle programs, while others are continuing to consider for the future

• Although there is some concern for the impending 2018 Cadillac Tax (delayed to 2020 following the completion of the survey), the majority of employers are not making any changes as of yet

• Employers are looking to insurance brokers and benefit consultants to learn more about new health benefit designs and distribution models

• Helping employees better understand the value of provided benefits and making cost-conscious benefit decisions continues to remain important to employers

FOR THE COMPLETE REPORT, CLICK HERE