Employers and benefits advisors agree that the health plan industry needs to change. That's one of the clear takeaways from Centivo's late 2022 Employer & Broker Health Plan Trends Survey. The majority of employers surveyed are open to trying new, more sustainable solutions. But where to begin? 

Change is possible, but it doesn't start with spending more on a broken system. The cost-shifting and consumer-driven approaches of the past, like raising deductibles or copays, aren't doing anything to help curb overall health care spending, nor is it making employees and their families any healthier. The only thing that can truly evolve long-term health care spending is accessing and consuming health care differently.

Employers are in the health care business

Employers have the obligation – and the power – to challenge the health care status quo, and their brokers can be key allies in this quest. For most companies, health care is the second largest expense after payroll, so taking  steps to improve the quality and value of their health plan offering boosts not only the wellbeing of employees, but also the company's bottom line.