To help their organizations and employees weather the current storm and prepare for calmer post-COVID waters, benefit and HR pros must have a plan to manage elective surgery demand.

With the latest COVID resurgence forcing hospitals to curtail and even cancel elective surgeries, employers are again concerned about the impact of delayed care on their employees and how to manage their needs.

As of early August, several hospital systems nationwide, notably in Florida, Louisiana and Texas, were reducing or suspending elective surgeries. This is unwelcome news for employees whose surgeries have been delayed, in some cases for over a year. For employers, it means continued uncertainty on two fronts: safeguarding the health—physical and mental—of employees and planning for cost increases once restrictions are lifted. While the uncertainty of today presents challenges, there are strategies benefit pros can put in place to do both.

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