5 top health care trends to look for in 2021
The pandemic has forced governments and businesses to chart new waters in health care.
2020 was a year marked by unpredictability and challenges as we collectively navigated a pandemic that changed how we lived, worked, played, and reckoned with our nation’s history of systemic racism. We would also be remiss to not acknowledge the political strife that challenged the hearts and minds of our nation and continue today.
The pandemic in particular has forced governments and businesses to chart new waters, with lockdowns and restrictions compelling companies to reimagine how to run a safe, yet sustainable business, with employees placed in the middle of these challenges.
Related: 5 areas the health care industry must improve in 2021
Despite these challenges, much of the business community has stepped up for employees when possible and continue to innovate their business models and operations to evolve in response to the pandemic.
Based on these innovations, here are trends business leaders should expect to see throughout 2021.
1. Rising health care costs
At the onset of the pandemic, millions of Americans put off getting much-needed medical care with appointments for chronic health conditions, routine physicals, and other life-saving screenings were delayed or missed altogether. After these initial drops in non-COVID related hospital visits, insurers are seeing more patients return to hospitals after previously putting off elective procedures and other routine visits.
Separately, the cost of health care is predicted to increase with employers expecting a 5% increase in benefit costs in 2021. Furthermore, a Kaiser Family Foundation survey found family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose 4% in 2020, and since 2010, have increased by 55%, twice as fast as wages (27%) and inflation (19%). These issues will only be exacerbated as more individuals look to seek postponed medical care that was delayed or deferred during the previous year. Others may face higher-cost medical procedures due to the deterioration of their conditions.
Helping employees navigate an increasingly complex and expensive health care system is more important than ever this year, and employers should develop plans to support employees and address rising costs.
2. COVID-19 vaccine distribution accelerates return to work
Despite initial logistical challenges with distribution of the vaccine, the roll-out of multiple vaccine options will accelerate businesses’ ability to return to pre-pandemic level of operations.
Employers will need to consider how and if they will return all of their employees back to work in the second to third quarter of 2021. This will be a combination of bringing employees back to work safely, but also addressing new preferences among employees for more flexible schedules and conditions.
3. Growing adoption of telehealth services
The pandemic has exposed many of the cracks in the existing health care system. One of those was the incredible reliance on needing to see a doctor in a physical location in order to get care.
One solution to this barrier to care includes telehealth with access to trained medical professionals to remove the burden and risk of physical in-person appointments.
Since the emergence of the pandemic, telemedicine usage skyrocketed by 57%, and for patients suffering from chronic illnesses, the number of virtual care visits increased by 77%. Furthermore, a Business Group Health survey found 80% of employers believe virtual health will play a significant role in how care is delivered in the future, over 50% will offer telemedicine in 2021, and 93% are expected offer virtual mental health care.
Telemedicine is clearly a growing sector within the health care industry and one that will continue to evolve to meet the complex needs of patients over time. As we begin to recover from the pandemic, the future of health care will include both in person and virtual telehealth visits. As we enter this new health care landscape, coordination of both types of care need to become even more pronounced.
4. Greater demand for mental health resources
For millions of American workers, virtual meetings have become the new normal and face-to-face contact is now at a minimum. The lack of personal contact intensifies feelings of isolation, which in turn exacerbates mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
A Kaiser Family Foundation study found 45% of Americans felt that the COVID-19 crisis is harming their mental health, with 19% reporting the pandemic having a “major impact.” Additionally, Pew Research Center found 73% of Americans reported feelings of anxiety at least a few days per week since the pandemic began.
Taking steps to support employee mental health during the pandemic is both an ethical obligation and a bottom-line issue. While not a secret that overstressed employees decreases productivity, a recent McKinsey survey reported that 90% of employers felt that the pandemic was affecting the behavioral health and productivity of their employees.
The need for virtual mental health will also continue to extend in 2021 and beyond as an increasing number of therapists report booking more virtual sessions than ever.
5. An increased focus on health care accessibility
As we progress deeper into 2021, companies should continue to focus on providing employees with tools to control their health. One tool is increased access to health care professionals and knowledge to improve health outcomes.
Virtual primary care (VPC) is an excellent way employees can take charge of their health. VPC offers preventative health, chronic care, and in some cases behavioral health care. health care organizations offering VPC will often partner with physical locations for things like vaccines, lab draws, and vital measurements like blood pressure. Wait times are at a minimum as individuals needing help can often get access to a health professional the same day—all while being done virtually. Smaller companies may look to this model as a way to provide employees with convenient, quality health care.
Depending on company size and resource availability near-site clinics may be a viable option. Near-site clinics provide convenient access to trained medical professionals, eliminating the hassle of travel, or booking appointments months in advance.
2020 has created unique challenges for every American which will continue well into the new year, if not longer. Thankfully, health care has progressed in providing digital tools for patients to take control of their health and seek out the right virtual care option without leaving their homes. The advancement of telemedicine will help lower costs in the long run by providing individuals access to better care earlier.
Rob Cavanaugh is president of Accolade and Greg Burrell is senior director of clinical solutions.
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