Health benefit costs increased 3.2% in 2022, but employers are expecting costs to jump even higher in 2023, a Mercer report showed. Employers' top priorities right now are providing benefits that attract and retain employees and boosting mental health support.
Among large employers that responded to a Mercer survey, 11% offer free employee-only coverage in at least one medical plan option and another 11% are considering it.
Employers of all sizes are looking to bolster their health benefit options in 2023 with an eye toward improving recruitment and retention, and will focus on affordability and access, according to a new Mercer survey. More than two-thirds of the 700 respondents said they were looking to enhance their health and benefit offerings next year. In all, 61% of participating U.S.