Benefit Plan Sustainability
According to the 2021 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey, 71% of plan sponsors are concerned about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the cost of their health benefits plan. Are you one of them?
If you’re like these plan sponsors, benefit plan sustainability is likely a growing concern for the overall health of your workforce and business. While employers have always been mindful of any increased costs for group benefits, the pandemic has added new stress into the fold.
Challenges like delayed medical appointments and surgeries have meant that many employees are facing greater health challenges. In addition to the backlog in receiving medical treatment, employees are now experiencing secondary effects such as anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Others are struggling with chronic conditions that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Several employers are now in the midst of planning for greater levels of short-term and long-term disability usage, as well as increased claims.
For plan sponsors in the cited survey above, sustainability dominated 3 of the 4 top spots when it came to their concerns about their health benefits plan. Here’s a snapshot of the numbers:
- Sustainability of the drug plan (39%)
- Overall sustainability of the health benefits plan (38%)
- Levels of absence and disability (35%)
- Sustainability of the dental plan (29%)
With the uncertainty around how the pandemic will impact benefits over the next 5 years, having a sustainable benefits plan is more important than ever. This includes a manageable plan that provides the most value over time, while remaining affordable now and in the future.
Our team at Zarmac Benefits closely follows market trends and research to understand how best to support the goals of your benefit plan. If you have questions about your plan, reach out to us. We’re here to help.
