MagnaCare’s survey of 600 remote workers living outside their employer’s state revealed a generational divide. 

• Coverage gaps hit younger remote workers hardest. Six in 10 millennials and Gen Z employees report relying on out-of-network care because of their remote work location. This is significantly higher than the 46% average across all age groups.
• Evolving health care needs are influencing job-switch considerations. Eight in 10 younger remote workers have considered leaving their jobs because of health care coverage concerns. Among them, 36% say health care is a major factor in job decisions, with another 44% citing it as a contributing factor.
• Remote-first networks should better meet key care needs. Sixty-three percent of remote workers say their health plans haven’t adapted to remote work realities. This is especially true for accessing specialists and mental health care, which are two of the most underserved areas reported.
• Remote workers are open to change if it means better care. Three-fourths of workers aged 18 to 44 say they would consider switching to a remote-optimized health plan if it offered better provider access, even if it came with higher premiums.
• Network rental emerges as a data-backed solution to remote-care gaps. More than 6 in 10 remote workers say their current health plans aren’t keeping up with remote work, with specialist (35%) and mental health (31%) services cited as the most inaccessible. Network rental offers a potential solution. By temporarily partnering with local provider networks in underserved areas, insurers can expand in-network access where it's needed most, without the cost or complexity of building new networks from scratch.

“If carriers and third-party administrators want to stay competitive and retain employer clients, adapting to the remote workforce isn’t optional; it’s the key to delivering meaningful value, boosting loyalty and future-proofing their offerings,” Zettergren said.