Unio Health View | Laya
Getting More Value from Employee Health Benefits
Health insurance continues to evolve as employers look beyond cover alone and focus on how employees engage with the supports available to them.
In the latest edition of The Unio Health View, Brian McKiernan, Head of Business Development at Unio Employee Benefits, is joined by Joe Sherlock from Laya Healthcare to discuss the factors influencing health insurance today and how employers can approach value, engagement and employee wellbeing.
Rising demand is influencing healthcare costs
The increasing use of healthcare services continues to shape the health insurance landscape.
Higher utilisation of private healthcare, growing demand for faster access to treatment, advances in diagnostics and new treatment options are all contributing to rising claims costs. Demographic changes and increasing demand for healthcare services are also adding pressure across the system.
Access remains a central focus
Access to healthcare continues to be an important consideration for employees.
Digital services, healthcare supports and wellbeing programmes are providing additional ways for members to engage with healthcare and access support when they need it.
Looking beyond insurance
Employee health and wellbeing extends beyond health insurance alone.
Many organisations are bringing together health insurance, wellbeing initiatives, employee assistance programmes and occupational health supports as part of a broader approach to employee health.
Understanding utilisation
Knowing how employees use the benefits available to them can help employers better understand where value is being delivered.
Utilisation data can provide insight into how employees engage with health and wellbeing supports, which services are being accessed and where opportunities may exist to improve awareness and engagement.
Data-led decision making
Data and insights are playing an increasingly important role in employee health strategies.
Understanding workforce needs, identifying trends and using utilisation data to inform future planning can help organisations shape benefits programmes that are aligned with employee needs.
Engagement matters
The value of a benefit is closely linked to employee awareness and engagement.
Health and wellbeing supports can only deliver value when employees understand what is available to them and feel confident accessing those services when they need them.
Watch the discussion
Watch the full conversation between Brian McKiernan and Joe Sherlock below.