Commentary

A shift away from the status quo can be scary, but with pharmacy costs and health care spending nearing unsustainable levels and all-time highs and great scrutiny of the fiduciary obligations of plan sponsors, the stakes are too high to hope for better communication, collaboration, and results from traditional PBMs.

Employees are now largely left to their own devices to figure out the benefits enrollment process. This “passive enrollment” trend is mired in a mix of clunky technology, poor communication, less effective call center interactions, and, with on-cycle enrollments, lower visibility for voluntary benefits.

Prioritizing programs that support physical activity and overall wellbeing can improve both the personal and professional lives of employees, empowering them to bring their best to work each day—ultimately benefiting the bottom line.

Comprehensive leave programs, including caregiving leave, enable employees to take time for caregiving responsibilities, as well as focus on their careers and wellbeing.

Brokers have a critical role to play in helping people practitioners implement solutions that not only address immediate cost concerns but also foster a culture of long-term employee wellbeing.

By focusing on transparent, meaningful communications around RTO, companies can implement policies that align with business goals and don’t put them at risk of losing their top talent.