What’s Driving Benefit Costs Up 7% for 2024?
U.S. employers should brace for a 7% hike in healthcare costs next year, fueled largely by chronic conditions, costly prescriptions, and catastrophic claims, according to new data.
Support Your Staff as They Transition Back to Student Loan Payments
Now that federal student loan payments have restarted after a nearly three-year pause, HR teams can play a key role in supporting employees through this transition. With over 45 million Americans holding $1.77 trillion in stu¬dent debt, many workers face renewed financial burdens from monthly payments.
4 Key Trends Driving Employer Healthcare Costs in 2024
Amid ongoing inflation pressures, employees and employers alike can expect their healthcare costs to increase in 2024. Global professional services firm Aon reported that health care costs for employers will grow by 8.5% in 2024 (to more than $15,000 per employee), nearly double 2023’s figure. In line with those findings, the Business Group on Health’s 2024 Large Employer Health Care Strategy Survey predicts a 6% increase in health care costs in 2024.
PPACA Penalties Pack a Punch: What Employers Need to Know
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly known as Obamacare, levies hefty penalties on employers who do not comply with key provisions of the law.
Seven Open Enrollment Tips for Communicating Benefits
This year’s open enrollment period presents some unique challenges for employers looking to effectively communicate benefits options to employees. With rising healthcare costs, high inflation, a hybrid workforce split between office and remote settings, and workers facing mounting financial pressures, it is more important than ever for organizations to get open enrolment right.
Virtual Physical Therapy: An Employer’s Secret Weapon Against Opioids
The opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across America, taking over 41 lives per day and costing billions in lost productivity and increased healthcare expenses. As employers seek solutions to keep their workforce safe and productive, virtual physical therapy has emerged as an innovative approach.
How Smart Employers are Using Second Opinions to Avoid Unneeded Surgeries
When employees require surgery, the costs to employers can be immense—not only the direct medical bills but also lost productivity from time off work. However, a growing number of employers are realizing that many recommended surgeries may be unnecessary. By offering employees access to second opinion consultations through virtual health partners, employers can enjoy significant savings per avoided surgery while improving worker health outcomes.
Report Shows Top Priorities and Challenges for 2024 Open Enrollment
New research from digital media company Arizent revealed employee benefits leaders’ biggest challenges and strategies for increasing benefits utilization. These findings can help shape employers’ 2024 open enrollment plans.
Report Finds Healthcare Spending Expected to Exceed Overall Economic Growth
A recent survey found that 81% of employees want more information about company-sponsored benefits throughout the year, yet 47% don’t know enough to make informed choices during open enrollment. With open enrollment season approaching, human resources teams may want to look at some new strategies to close these communication gaps.
Employer-based Health Insurance Covered 54% of Americans in 2022
In its Health Coverage in the United States: 2022 report, the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that employer-based insurance was the most common type of coverage, covering 54.5% of working-age adults.