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Data shows that more and more employers are shifting toward consumer-directed health care, as employers offering a minimum of 1 HDHP (high-deductible health plan) has increased by over 20% since 2016. This is due to employers continually offering HDHPs in addition to more old-school health plans, as employers strive to give their employees more choices regarding their healthcare expenses going forward. An employees’ circumstances and demographics can greatly affect their desire for certain health plans, meaning that employers need to offer a diverse range in order to fulfil employee needs and sustain morale.

Despite this need for employers to offer diverse and competitive packages, they need to ensure that they can manage these costs and be able to offer these plans to employs on a long-term basis. Although more affordable options are becoming available to employers as the desire for consumer-driven healthcare increases, some companies are struggling to offer their employees such packages.

More employees are using HSAs

HSAs (health savings accounts) are being used by more employees than ever before, with usage growing by 60% among those who are eligible. The most eager group to adopt HSAs appears to be millennials, whose participation has almost doubled since 2017, highlighting exponential increasing in adoption among younger employees especially.

Reports have also shown that high-earners aren’t concerned about HDHPs with higher deductibles, as HDHPs consistently fare well among employees with high incomes. Statistics show that HDHP-enrolled people earn 7% more than those enrolled in PPO systems.

Rising premiums

Despite rising premiums, the reduced out-of-pocket risk these come with is making things much easier for employees. Although most employees are seeing their premiums go up, for example, most of these will also be subject to lower deductibles in 2018 and beyond. PPO subscribers with family coverage plans can expect a 9% decrease, while single-coverage plan holders can expect a 7% decrease.

Voluntary benefits

Many employees have needs greater than their own basic health care, and voluntary benefits can help to address this. For example, one may desire accident insurance or hospital indemnity insurance, in addition to insurance covering areas such as identity theft and pet health. Employers have offered 56% more identity theft protections in the last 2 years, while pet insurance offerings have gone up by 80% in the same timeframe.

Are you an employer or employee looking for advice as consumer-directed healthcare becomes more popular? Speak to a member of our well-informed team today!

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