Dive Brief:
- The results of a study by the Healthcare Trends Institute found that 68% of employers believe health benefit plans affect their reputations and can raise employee morale and satisfaction. The survey results are from the fourth annual Benefits Benchmark Survey, which polled HR executives and employers.
- Three-quarters of respondents said that attracting and retaining quality talent was a desired outcome, and a majority (67%) said improvements to employee health were a major consideration.
- The respondents were asked how strongly they believed a benefits package affected their reputations based on a scale of one to 10. Most respondents (67%) chose a seven ranking or higher. A quarter of the respondents said they “strongly agreed.”
Dive Insight:
The survey confirmed what so many other surveys on employer-sponsored health plans found: Health benefits are shifting towards a customer-focused model with an emphasis on better outcomes. Employers are still looking for ways to keep healthcare costs down.
The survey also confirmed that employers consider health benefits essential to their recruiting, hiring and retention efforts.
More employees are balancing their health plans with the addition of wellness programs. While employees are getting health coverage, they can participate in programs to enhance their physical and mental well-being.