In 2024, U.S. employers spent on average nearly $26,000 per family and $9,000 per individual on employee-sponsored health insurance—a 24% increase over the past five years—with healthcare costs expected to rise to 9% this year.
And in the healthcare industry, where patient care is inherently linked to employee wellbeing, it’s more important than ever for employees AND their employers to derive significant value from their benefits programs. Employers are looking for levers to pull. And while steerage to cost-effective plans is a powerful lever—it’s just one lever. A more dimensional approach is required for true cost containment.
Businessolver recently released its 2025 Benefits Insights report, which explores the leading trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the benefits landscape for organizations. Within this data, significant info emerged around striking the balance between employee satisfaction and cost.
Healthcare HR leaders must rethink their benefits strategies to ensure programs remain appealing to employees while driving tangible returns. This means understanding both “must-have” benefits and “value-add” options, crafting offerings that increase employee satisfaction without breaking the bank. For instance, prescription assistance programs, EAPs, caregiving assistance, and financial wellness programs are no longer “nice to have” but increasingly important valuable drivers for boosting employee satisfaction and retention.
However, even a well-rounded benefits program isn’t enough anymore. Employees must actively understand and engage with their benefits to maximize their value. Studies reveal that 86% of employees are confused about their benefits, which may lead to underutilization, dissatisfaction, or financial struggles.
Enter innovative benefits administration technology as the catalyst to ensuring healthcare employees activate and engage with your organization’s benefit offerings. And as a disengaged workforce directly affects patient care, finding ways to address this “benefits literacy” gap is critical.
AI-Powered Solutions and Around-the-Clock Access
For healthcare professionals, who often work irregular hours, seamless and accessible tools are redefining benefits management.
AI technology is revolutionizing benefits support by offering immediate, user-friendly assistance. Employees no longer need to wait for HR support during administrative hours—they can access benefits information and resolve issues anytime through AI assistants, such as Sofia, and mobile apps. According to Businessolver’s 2025 Benefit Insights Report, through AI-powered support, 89% of all chats were resolved instantly with 82% staying resolved after 7 days.
That equates to nearly 10 minutes saved in call and chat times (43% increase from 2023). And in terms of dollar signs for your CFO, that’s up to an average of $3 million annually with AI self-service and automation tools such as document verification and cognitive search.
34% of healthcare services employees engage with the Benefitsolver benefits administration platform 4+ times after enrollment. This number goes up even higher when HSA and FSA accounts are also managed through our platform.
Simply put, these tools aren’t just providing support for busy healthcare workers 24/7, they’re driving down costs and creating a proactive system for engagement.
Mobile-Friendly Platforms
As a majority of healthcare workers rely on mobile devices to manage their benefits, ensuring your platform is mobile-optimized is crucial. Mobile apps allow employees to check coverage, connect with care providers, and receive tailored updates on-the-go—essential for a highly mobile workforce.
Data-Driven Personalization
AI-powered analytics track how employees interact with their benefits, enabling HR teams to identify gaps and refine offerings in real time. In 2024, 90% of Businessolver clients used AI-powered reporting to get real-time insights across their entire benefits program, from employee satisfaction to utilization.
And on the employee experience side, users are more than twice as likely (129%) to elect a right-fit, cost-effective health plan and a savings vehicle when decision support is in play at enrollment. These personalized experiences, driven by claims data and usage patterns, ensure employees see relevant benefits and feel supported not just during AE but those critical life moments afterwards as well.
Benefits Communication and Literacy
A 2024 study found that 43% of employees receive benefits communications only once a year—or not at all. Technology bridges this gap through year-round communication channels like SMS, push notifications, and email campaigns with targeted content, helping employees fully understand and activate their benefits.
What should healthcare HR professionals focus on to adapt to this evolving landscape?
By focusing on personalization, AI-driven insights, and workforce-centered strategies, HR leaders can balance the rising costs of benefits while demonstrating unmatched value to employees—and the people they help heal.
Looking to bring your benefits strategy into 2025 with confidence? Learn how AI and advanced tools can reshape your approach. Schedule a free demo with a Businessolver expert today and see how our industry leading technology can optimize your programs and improve employee outcomes.
