August 25, 2021

2022 Large Employers' Health Care Strategy and Plan Design Survey

The 2022 Survey asked large employers about changes they made to their health care programs and benefits in 2021, while looking ahead to 2022. This year is crucial, as it is when employers expect a course-correction after the tumultuous 2 years in the grasp of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Based on the findings from the 2022 survey, the following messages surfaced as top trends and emerging concerns among employers.

COVID-19’s potential long-term impact on employees

Staying at home during numerous lockdowns meant that doctor visits and preventive screenings were delayed or missed altogether. Social isolation and uncertainty due to the fluid nature of the pandemic proved to be an impetus for depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. As a result, employers anticipate seeing an increase in medical services, late-stage cancer diagnoses, greater numbers of people with long-term mental health and substance use issues and other adverse effects. These could last well into future years.

 

Figure 2: Employer Views on the Impact of COVID-19 on Health and Well-being, 2021

Focusing on social determinants of health as a gateway to increasing health equity and promoting systemic change

Employers are initiating programs and benefits to improve the circumstances that employees and their families are born into and live, which have an impact on their ability to live healthy and fulfilling lives. By zeroing in on these circumstances, employers can tackle the underlying social and economic challenges that influence overall well-being, with the goal of bringing about systemic change.

 

Figure 3: Social Determinants of Health Focus Areas, 2021-2024

2022 Plan Design Survey: Executive Summary

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Data Insights Plan Design & Administration COVID-19