The current state of the employee health and benefits market
As we venture further into 2024, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the current state of the market for employer-sponsored healthcare coverage. The healthcare landscape continues to undergo significant transformations, influenced by various factors and events.
Healthcare inflation remains a pressing concern, with costs steadily rising. This inflationary pressure is driven by increasing drug prices, rising healthcare utilization, and the introduction of expensive gene therapies. Additionally, claims volatility has become a prominent issue, as unexpected spikes in healthcare utilization and high-cost treatments contribute to the unpredictability.
In the pharmaceutical space, glucagon-like peptide 1s, or GLP-1s, have emerged as a promising solution for managing diabetes. These medications have shown effectiveness in improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs associated with diabetes-related complications. However, tight utilization management is critical to ensure proper patient treatment usage and to avoid potential overspending.
Provider negotiations have become increasingly complex and disruptive, as healthcare systems and insurers strive to balance quality care and cost containment. Employers are also actively exploring market point solutions that offer targeted interventions to manage specific healthcare needs. They aim to address rising healthcare costs effectively and increase care access.
Outside forces
Economic uncertainty and the upcoming election add additional complexity to the market. Employers must navigate these uncertainties and carefully consider strategic approaches to manage healthcare costs while ensuring the well-being of their employees. Alternative funding strategies, including self-funding with stand-alone stop-loss or a captive, continue as the preferred means for employers to gain more control over healthcare spending and mitigate financial risks.
In 2024, employers will navigate an evolving employee health and benefits landscape by focusing on tailoring their benefits program with four key considerations that guide their program strategy:
- A multi-generational workforce
- The importance of comprehensive and customized benefits
- Whole-person health value
- Healthcare cost optimization
National medical and pharmacy claims trends
We analyzed our national book of business health plan utilization with data through December 31, 2023. This analysis reviewed the aggregate impacts of current market trends on fee-for-service gross medical and pharmacy claims.
In 2020, claims trends were historically low, as the decrease in non-emergency medical care outweighed the increase in COVID-19 testing and treatment. Healthcare claims rebounded in 2021 and 2022, but to levels still slightly less than pre-pandemic trend expectations. Throughout 2023, claims trends returned to levels consistent with pre-pandemic historical trends.
This chart illustrates our national fee-for-service medical and Rx actual claims compared to expected claims since the beginning of the pandemic.
