America's Benefit Specialist December 2022

NOTEWORTHY

employees and their families,” explained Nieland. Employee insights such as these can be key tools for shaping a company’s ap proach to healthcare. Health benefits, which provide a competitive advantage when hiring, should be an integral part of any long-term recruiting and retention strategy. The report offered several strategies for addressing employees’ costs and concerns: • Review cost-sharing arrangements, in light of average employee income levels and other factors. • Consider a self-funded health plan or a group captive program (for small to mid size employers), which both offer signifi cant economic and strategic advantages. • Help address the complexity of care by offering price transparency tools and patient navigation services. “The goal of this report is to spark dia logue between employers and their benefit brokers. We hope it encourages employers to consider innovative solutions that can move the needle on costs and ease of use,” concluded Nieland. The findings come from a survey com missioned in March of 1,000 U.S. adults age 18 and older with employer-based health coverage, balanced across age, gender, U.S. region and employer size. NEARLY FOUR IN FIVE AMERICANS WHO HAVE USED VIRTUAL PRIMARY CARE SAY IT HELPED THEM TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH As digital health technology continues to advance and the healthcare industry evolves, many Americans want the ability to utilize more digital methods when it comes to managing their health, according to a study recently released by Elevance Health (formerly Anthem Inc.). For people who have used virtual primary care, the

vast majority of them (94%) are satisfied with their experience, and nearly four in five (79%) say it has allowed them to take charge of their health. Survey respon dents also indicated that convenience and accessibility are among the top traits that attract them to digital methods like virtual primary care. Elevance Health commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct an online study of over 5,000 US adults age 18+ around virtual primary care. Specifically, the study aimed to gain insights into consumer interest in virtual primary care as a resource to im prove their health and wellbeing. “Consumers are using digital technologies at an accelerating pace and, consistent with this, we’re seeing at Elevance Health use of telehealth that is nearly 20 times greater than pre-pandemic levels,” said Rajeev Ronanki, president of digital platforms at Elevance Health. “Virtual primary care gives individuals the opportunity to work with innovative services that make healthcare more convenient, accessible, and fit into their increasingly busy schedules.” While telehealth and online healthcare services are rising in popularity, Elevance Health found that Americans’ familiarity with virtual primary care is divided, with around half (48%) being familiar with the term. Nearly three-quarters of Amer icans (73%) like virtual primary care/ find it appealing. Convenience (35%) and accessibility (31%) are among the top traits that Americans like or find appealing about virtual primary care. The overall ease of use (30%) is also appealing. Even though a majority like/find virtual primary care appealing, people still have questions. Around three in 10 Americans who have not used virtual primary care as a source of primary care (31%) believe that doctors need to see their problem in person to know what is wrong. Around a fifth say they do not know if it is covered by their in

HEALTHCARE PRESSURES FACING EMPLOYEES

U.S. employees are feeling the pressure of healthcare costs, with eight in 10 concerned about the cost of care and more than half re porting that they have skipped medical tests, office visits or prescriptions. These findings come from the 2022 Health Care Pressures Facing U.S. Employees report by Berkley Accident and Health. “Cost-sharing is a major problem for U.S. employees, who are struggling with increased out-of-pocket costs due to high deductibles and coinsurance,” said Brad Nieland, president and CEO of Berkley Accident and Health. “These costs can place the largest burden on those who are least able to pay, forcing patients to skip care, self-pay and take on medical debt.” Key findings of the survey: • Despite having health insurance, re spondents worry about their ability to pay for care, with 84% concerned about affordability. • Sixty-one percent admit to skipping a med ical test, visit or prescription due to cost. Fifty-six percent have paid cash because it was cheaper than using their insurance. • Thirty-eight percent report having medical debt, with the majority owing between $1,000 and $10,000. The top rea son cited for medical debt was an unmet deductible or coinsurance. Most respondents find health costs and billing hard to decipher. Sixty-nine percent have received a medical bill they did not expect—typically between $500 and $3,000. Others found it hard to get a price estimate before scheduling a medical service or filling a prescription. “With these findings in mind, employers and benefit professionals should consid er how they can make healthcare more affordable, easier and more transparent for

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