Upcoming Employee Benefits Trends For 2016

The cost of healthcare is rising, but consumers are also demanding greater flexibility in managing their health with the use of modern communication.

These are some of the employee benefits trends to look out for in 2016, plus a few others:

Technology Tools

The increased use of online resources to evaluate and assess health care has been proven by a recent survey in Canada which revealed over 52 percent of healthcare consumers search online for information on healthcare.

Over the last two years, the number of consumers using technological devices to monitor their health has risen from 17 percent to 28 percent, and more than 60 percent of technology users say that these devices have impacted the way they behave.

Analytics Tools

Employers are making much greater use of healthcare analytics to evaluate whether their current healthcare plans are the most cost effective. Monitoring claims data as well as overall usage over a period of time helps employers design better plans and save money. All the trends indicate that there is going to be more of this type of planning in 2016.

Customised Care

Employers are also expected to provide more customised healthcare plans for their staff. Employees can voluntarily access additional benefits that are relevant to their stage in life, whether they are beginning a new career or transitioning into retirement. Some of these benefits can include student loan assistance, paid parental leave and retirement planning.

Whether you’re starting a new job, are heading into retirement, or in charge of the healthcare insurance needs for an entire organization, it’s essential that you’re well educated on all possibilities emerging in the upcoming year. For more information, contact the Step Benefits Group team today!