Employers turn attention to virtual care, mental health and DEI
Recent research has found a 400% increase in virtual visits to physicians and other providers since the pandemic began early in 2020.
The events of 2020 has had a big impact on workplace attitudes toward benefits and is prompting employers to explore new approaches and benefits in their benefit plans, a report from AON finds.
Related: Digital transformation ignites rapid change the health care industry
The AON study noted that recent research has found a 400% increase in virtual visits to physicians and other providers since the pandemic began early in 2020. The report, “The New Better: Strategic Innovation in a Post Pandemic Environment,” outlines new ways employers are responding to ongoing changes in how health care is delivered, based on surveys before and after the start of the pandemic. The study outlined a desire for change in other areas as well, including more options in the area of mental health, and more emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
An appetite for change
The surveys found that only 17% of respondents rated their current health benefits and strategies as “very effective.” Companies are also focused on the recruitment and retention benefits of being more inclusive and supportive of diversity. The survey found that, post-COVID, a top priority for employers was adapting their benefit programs to support and advance DEI (50% of respondents)—and that only 23% said they were satisfied with their company’s efforts in the DEI area.
The second-highest area of interest was using digital apps to manage chronic conditions of (47%), followed by a strategy to steer plan members to high-quality/cost-effective care (45%).
The employers surveyed also wanted to improve their mental health offerings: respondents consistently rated mental health access as a top issue on their wellbeing agenda. The survey found that 15% ranked it as the top wellbeing issue, second only to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Organizations are increasingly providing access to resources to enhance individual coping skills, such as meditation, and help them balance work and life in an environment where workers may be juggling caregiving responsibilities or struggling with social isolation and loneliness,” the report said.
Virtual care is the new reality
Driven by the challenges in face-to-face meetings with providers during the pandemic, companies brought virtual care options online in 2020. The AON surveys found that by 2021, 85% of respondents said virtual on-demand urgent care was part of their benefit offerings; virtual mental health services were offered by 77% of employers, and virtual primary care was offered by 49%.
And there is still room for growth in virtual care; more than one-third of respondents said they were interested in adding more virtual primary care (34%) or other specialties such as physical therapy (35%) to their plan offerings.
The report said its findings signal a significant change in priorities for employers, as companies are putting more emphasis on keeping employees safe, productive, and resilient.
“Just like countless other aspects in our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic will accelerate innovation and evolve future total rewards programs to build a more resilient workforce,” said Janet Faircloth, senior vice president for Aon’s Health Solutions. “Employers have the unique opportunity to enhance the value of their health and wellbeing benefits to better meet the career, financial, and health needs of a wider spectrum of employees and improve the lives of millions of people in the process.”
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