[{"title":"Health Benefit Programs are Central to DEI Initiatives","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/brand-GettyImages-944223026-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/ushn-202303-03.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 11 2023","description":"Beth Umland shares new survey insights about employers’ focus on health equity and ensuring that benefit programs help support larger DEI goals","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Safeguarding Healthcare Affordability in a Time of Inflation","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/brand-591478643-senior-business-man-dicussion-client-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/ushn-202303-01.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 11 2023","description":"Beth Umland shares new survey insights on the ways plan sponsors plan to adapt benefits strategies in light of inflation.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Planning for 2024: Employers will Enhance Benefits, Avoid Cost-Shifting","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/hero-edited/editorial-GettyImages-539253365-close-up-candid-office-worker-shallow-depth-of-field-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-post-1.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 04 2023","description":"With the labor market still tight in many industry sectors, employers say they are planning to make enhancements to their health and well-being offerings in 2024.\r\n","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Texas Judge Pares Back ACA Preventive Services Coverage Requirement","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1329102075-closeupof-colleague-explaining-something-in-meeting-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/texas-judge-pares-back-aca-preventive-services-coverage-requirement.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Cost","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 31 2023","description":"The legal battle over the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s preventive services coverage mandate took another turn yesterday.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Poll Finds Employers Divided on Employee Cost-Sharing for COVID Tests","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1150962749-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/poll-finds-employers-divided-on-employee-cost-sharing-for-covid-tests.html","kickerTitle":"Leave","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 16 2023","description":"Poll results coming soon","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Must-Do Strategies: Close Benefit Gaps with Meaningful Choices","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/usmedblog/AdobeStock_322796743-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/must-do-strategies-close-benefit-gaps-with-meaningful-choices.html","kickerTitle":"Benefit flexibility","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 02 2023","description":"Meeting a wider range of employee need doesn’t mean you have to spend a whole lot more. Focus on making benefits more inclusive and more flexible. Learn more. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Virtual Mental Healthcare is a Bright Spot ","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/social-adobeStock_296459662-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/virtual-mental-healthcare-is-a-bright-spot.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 15 2022","description":"Growth in virtual mental healthcare is part of a larger trend. Beth Umland explains.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Health Benefit Cost Rose 3.2% in 2022, Bigger Increases Ahead","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2021-social-media-GettyImages-1163500880-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/health-benefit-cost-rose-32-in-2022-bigger-increases-ahead.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 08 2022","description":"In the healthcare sector, higher wages, labor shortages, and consolidation will almost certainly result in higher prices. Learn more. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey Finds Employers Expanding Medical Travel Benefits","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-506479358-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-finds-employers-expanding-medical-travel-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 27 2022","description":"Our recent survey results provide insight into the prevalence and design of medical travel benefits in group health plans. Learn more. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey Reveals COVID’s Continuing Impact on US Business","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2022-gettyimages-1070958816.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-reveals-covids-continuing-impact-on-us-business.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 20 2022","description":"How post-pandemic are we, really? Most employers have felt enough confidence to invite, or even require, employees to return to their worksites, and some have chosen to drop vaccine mandates in the process. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Top 3 Strategies Employers will Use to Take on Health Care Inflation","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-AdobeStock_364700524-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/top-3-strategies-employers-will-use-to-take-on-health-care-inflation.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 13 2022","description":"As our new survey reveals, employers are focusing instead on longer-term strategies to curb cost growth. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Modernizing Mental Health Benefits","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/hero-edited/AdobeStock_224013547-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/modernizing-mental-health-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"Well-being","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 06 2022","description":"The need to improve access to mental health care was clear to employers before the pandemic, but over the last two years it has become the top priority for many, especially very large employers.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Health benefit cost growth will accelerate to 5.6% in 2023","articleTag":"Healthcare Costs","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/latinamerica/brazil/br-2020-mercer-social-media-GettyImages-527626501.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/health-benefit-cost-growth-will-accelerate-in-2023.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 11 2022","description":"US employers expect health benefit cost per employee to rise 5.6% on average in 2023, according to early results from Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans 2022, which launched June 22 this year and remains open. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"New Poll Finds More Employers Offering Travel / Lodging Benefits","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-AdobeStock_298309330-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/new-poll-finds-more-employers-offering-travel-lodging-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 04 2022","description":"It appears that employers are beginning to act on plans to implement a travel and lodging benefit for employees in states restricting access to abortion-related services. Beth Umland shares new polling data.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Poll Finds Employers Considering Travel and Lodging Benefits for Abortion Services ","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-AdobeStock_298309330-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/poll-finds-employers-considering-travel-and-lodging-benefits-for-abortion-services.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 07 2022","description":"In three successive surveys asking about travel and lodging benefits for employees in states restricting access to abortion-related services, it’s clear that most employers are still considering their response. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"The Right Fit: Survey Finds Employers Optimizing Benefit Packages for 2023","articleTag":"Wellbeing","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/hero-edited/GettyImages-594460706-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-right-fit-survey-finds-employers-optimizing-benefit-value-for-2023.html","kickerTitle":"Wellbeing","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 23 2022","description":"Beth Umland shares new data showing that the majority of organizations plan to enhance health and benefit offerings in 2023. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey Finds Employers Adding Juneteenth as a Paid Holiday","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/hero-edited/GettyImages-719875927-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-finds-employers-adding-juneteenth-as-a-paid-holiday.html","kickerTitle":"Leave \u0026 time off","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 15 2022","description":"Beth Umland and Rich Fuerstenberg share new data showing a sizeable increase in the number of employers adding Juneteenth as a paid holiday.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Virtual-First Health Plans, Explained","articleTag":"Engagement","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/915741300-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/virtual-first-health-plans-explained.html","kickerTitle":"Engagement","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 09 2022","description":"Virtual care delivery is entering an exciting new phase in which its full potential may finally be realized. It’s the dawning of the era of the virtual-first health plan, now coming to market rapidly. In simplest terms, virtual health plans (VHPs) in","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"What Employers are doing about Behavioral Health: Survey Results","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2022-GettyImages-1389837993.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/what-employers-are-doing-about-behavioral-health-survey-results.html","kickerTitle":"Surveys \u0026 analytics","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 26 2022","description":"Beth Umland shares an early look at soon-to-be-released survey results that reveal the actions employers are taking to provide greater support for behavioral health in 2023.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"RAND Study Quantifies Variation in Healthcare Costs Across the US","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1289228163-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/rand-study-quantifies-variation-in-healthcare-costs-across-the-us.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 19 2022","description":"RAND’s latest study that reports how much higher private health plans reimburse hospitals for services includes actionable information for employers – the variation in healthcare costs across the country.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey Results: There is More to Virtual Care than Telemedicine","articleTag":"Engagement","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2022-gettyimages-1070958816.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-results-there-is-more-to-virtual-care-than-telemedicine.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 12 2022","description":"A growing number of employers are exploring virtual healthcare solutions that can enhance access, convenience and cost-efficiency. Beth Umland shares the data from our flagship survey.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"The CFO Perspective on Health: New Survey Results","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/AdobeStock_322796743-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-cfo-perspective-on-health-new-survey-results.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 07 2022","description":"Over half the CFOs indicate that they are not aware that they should expect greater volatility and uncertainty in costs going forward.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Pandemic to Endemic: What It Means for Your Organization","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-607477457-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/pandemic-to-endemic-what-it-means-for-your-organization.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 31 2022","description":"We are at an inflection point in the COVID-19 pandemic. Most Americans have a serious case of COVID fatigue and want to get back to the activities that kept us busy before the pandemic.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey Finds Employers Tackling Worker Burnout to Slow Turnover","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/healthcare-blog/us-2022-GettyImages-1214712812.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-finds-employers-tackling-worker-burnout-to-slow-turnover.html","kickerTitle":"Wellbeing","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 17 2022","description":"In a survey of more than 300 US employers conducted over the past four weeks, nearly half (48 percent) rank labor shortages as a significant HR priority, and another 41 percent say it’s a moderate issue. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Worksite Vaccine Requirements in the Wake of the OSHA ETS ","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2021-social-media-GettyImages-1277808618-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/worksite-vaccine-requirements-in-the-wake-of-the-osha-ets1.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 27 2022","description":"Some employers did move forward with a vaccine requirement in anticipation of the ETS","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Worksite Vaccine Requirements in the Wake of the OSHA ETS ","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2021-social-media-GettyImages-1277808618-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/worksite-vaccine-requirements-in-the-wake-of-the-osha-ets.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 27 2022","description":"Some employers did move forward with a vaccine requirement in anticipation of the ETS","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey: Health Benefit Cost Growth Spiked in 2021, Outlook is Uncertain","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2021-social-media-gettyimages-697387815-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-health-benefit-cost-growth-spiked-in-2021-outlook-is-uncertain.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 15 2021","description":"One common cost management tool – where employers shift a larger share of the cost of health services to plan members – seems to be off the table for many employers.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Five Decisions to Revisit with Omicron on the Horizon","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/global/gl-2020-GettyImages-1191254826-small.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/five-decisions-to-revisit-with-omicron-on-the-horizon.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 09 2021","description":"A concerning new COIVD-19 variant has emerged, once again testing our mettle and resolve.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Charting a Path to Worksite Safety, With or Without the OSHA ETS","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1191975380.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/charting-a-path-to-worksite-safety-with-or-without-the-osha-ets.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 18 2021","description":"Employers need to ask themselves how they will proceed with worksite safety efforts.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"The COVID-19 Testing Alternative: Employers Have Questions, Concerns","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1215518843-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-covid-19-testing-alternative-employers-have-questions-concerns.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 11 2021","description":"We polled the audience on a recent Mercer webcast about whether they will allow the weekly testing and face covering option to unvaccinated employees. We discuss the poll results and some other top testing concerns.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing: Key Decisions You’ll Need to Make ","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2021-GettyImages-1276395298-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/covid-19-vaccinations-and-testing-key-decisions-youll-need-to-make.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus ","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 08 2021","description":"In response to the OSHA rules on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing we’ve complied a list of key decisions you’ll need to make.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Worksite Health Centers Remain a Key Well-Being Strategy","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-offset_827154-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/worksite-health-centers-remain-a-key-well-being.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 28 2021","description":"For many employer sponsors, onsite health centers proved to be a valuable asset during the COVID-19. We share some key considerations to further increase engagement and integrate care. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Benefits Matter to Low-Wage Workers","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2021-social-media-offset_977968-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/benefits-matter-to-low-wage-workers.html","kickerTitle":"Employee Benefits","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 21 2021","description":"At the heart of the labor shortages that are playing havoc with the economic recovery is the growing exodus of frontline, low-wage, minority and lower-level workers from their jobs.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey Looks at Vaccine Mandates and Employee Turnover","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1221400706-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-looks-at-vaccine-mandates-and-employee-turnover.html","kickerTitle":"Vaccine Mandates","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 13 2021","description":"Mercer launched a pulse survey on October 4 to learn from the experience of employers that have already implemented mandates -- and to discover what others see as the biggest hurdles","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"For 2022, Employers Focus on Benefit Improvement, Not Cost-Cutting","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-506479358-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-focus-on-benefit-improvement-not-cost-cutting.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare costs","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 07 2021","description":"Employers expect health benefit cost to rise 4.7% on average in 2022 compared to 2021, which is largely in line with the average annual cost growth in recent years except for a dip in 2020 as many people delayed or went without care.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"What’s at the Heart of the Employer-Employee Bond? ","articleTag":"Engagement","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/latinamerica/latam/la-2021-social-media-offset_673977.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/whats-at-the-heart-of-the-employer-employee-bond.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 16 2021","description":"Employees who feel their employers have provided good support during the pandemic are more likely to stay at their jobs as a result.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Employers Need to Start Preparing for Vaccine Mandates Now","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1226005970-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-need-to-start-preparing-for-vaccine-mandates-now.html","kickerTitle":"Health Law and Policy","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 09 2021","description":"With President Biden’s new vaccine mandate, the question of whether to require worker vaccinations has been settled, giving way to a long list of questions about how to do it. While there is still much we won’t know until rules are released, we advis","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Helping Parents Balance “Back to School” with “Return to Worksite” ","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-1207549807-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/helping-parents-balance-back-to-school-with-return-to-worksite.html","kickerTitle":"Caregiving","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 09 2021","description":"It’s important to communicate now, if you haven’t already, about the policies and resources you have in place to support caregivers while they can’t count on consistent coverage from schools and daycare programs. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"New Survey: Do Employees Support Vaccine Mandates?","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2021-GettyImages-1276395298-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/new-survey-do-employees-support-vaccine-mandates.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 26 2021","description":"A majority of workers would welcome a mandate","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey Shows Companies Reconsidering Vaccine Mandates as Delta Surges","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1226005970-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-shows-companies-reconsidering-vaccine-mandates-as-delta-surges.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 12 2021","description":"Fourteen percent require (or plan to require) all employees returning to their worksites to be vaccinated, with another 15% requiring vaccinations for certain job functions.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"The Apt Comparison: Are You Using the Right Benchmark Data?","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/AdobeStock_168230526-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-apt-comparison-are-you-using-the-right-benchmark-data.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 22 2021","description":"There’s enormous variation among employer plans that’s hidden in national results, and benchmark data brings it to the surface.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Time to Refresh Your Approach to Employee Well-being? We thought so","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1214219270-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/time-to-refresh-your-approach-to-employee-well-being-we-thought-so.html","kickerTitle":"Employee wellbeing","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 08 2021","description":"The latest version of the HERO Scorecard is here and better than ever – with new practices related to mental and emotional well-being, social determinants of health, integration with DEI efforts, and involvement in the community","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Employers Take on the Vaccination Challenge: New Survey Results","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1226005970-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-take-on-the-vaccination-challenge-new-survey-results.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 18 2021","description":"Employers are scrambling to find ways to get their workforces vaccinated as soon as possible, both for their employees’ safety and for the sake of their businesses. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Double Whammy for Women","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/639001428-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/double-whammy-for-women.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 04 2021","description":"Mercer President and CEO, Martine Ferland, speaks about the impact of the pandemic on women in the workplace.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"How Well-Being Practices are Evolving: HERO Scorecard Analysis","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-605378813-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/changing-health-and-wellbeing-an-analysis-of-hero-scorecard-responses.html","kickerTitle":"Wellbeing","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 21 2021","description":"The HERO Scorecard Progress Report shows a growing consensus around the business case for well-being initiatives, an evolution in incentive strategies for employers, and best practices that are most often connected with optimal outcomes.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Leading Through the Surge: Using What We’ve Learned","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1191975380-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/leading-through-the-surge-using-what-we-learned.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 17 2020","description":"Using hard-won knowledge gained over the course of the year, employers can be more proactive in 2021 – while remaining ready to adjust as conditions change. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Mercer Survey: With 2020 Health Costs Below Budget, Employers Invest in More Employee Support ","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/offset_801016-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercer-survey-with-2020-health-costs-below-budget-employers-invest-in-more-employee-support.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Costs","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 10 2020","description":"While the overall healthcare cost increase is in line with past years, large employers (those with 500 or more employees) reported that cost would rise by just 1.9% -- the lowest increase in since 1997.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Facing the COVID Resurgence: Advice for Employers","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1209025695-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/facing-the-covid-resurgence-advice-for-employers.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 06 2020","description":"With coronavirus cases surging in much of the US, we’re back in response mode. We asked four Mercer thought leaders what advice they have for employers right now. Here’s what they said.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Managing with Empathy: Why It’s Not Just for COVID Times","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/offset_768347-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/managing-with-empathy-why-its-not-just-for-COVID-times.html","kickerTitle":"Employee Experience","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 22 2020","description":"Understanding the difficult and tragic impact of the virus on employees and society, employers have made empathy their default mode – and it could likely stay that way. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"After the Election, will Employers Get the Health Reform They Want? ","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/hero-edited/GettyImages-1199985429_pg13-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/after-the-election-will-employers-get-the-health-reform-they-want.html","kickerTitle":"Election 2020","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 08 2020","description":"Mercer’s recent post-election health policy survey results cover President-elect Biden’s healthcare proposals, prescription drug cost controls and the new transparency regulations.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Health Benefit Costs Expected to Grow 4.4% in 2021, Mercer Survey Finds","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1213470229-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/health-benefit-costs-expected-to-grow-4-point-4-percent-in-2021-mercer-survey-finds.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 01 2020","description":"Despite the many unknowns affecting health care spending in the COVID era, employer health plan sponsors still need to set budgets for 2021.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Employers Step Up to Support Voting","articleTag":"Engagement","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1216720142-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-step-up-to-support-voting.html","kickerTitle":"Election 2020","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 10 2020","description":"It\u0027s important to keep in mind that short-term disability plans will not provide income replacement to those who are seeking an accommodation but are otherwise able to work.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Worksite Testing for the COVID-19 Virus and Antibodies: An Update","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-1215518843-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/worksite-testing-for-the-COVID-19-virus-and-antibodies-an-update.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 13 2020","description":"Mercer’s Beth Umland provides a status update on what employers are doing in regards to worksite testing for COVID-19, antibody testing and contact tracing. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Racial Justice is a Matter of Life and Death","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-1213302568-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/racial-justice-is-a-matter-of-life-and-death.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 25 2020","description":"Mercer’s Beth Umland discusses research that reveals the serious negative health impacts of everyday encounters with racism, and how this knowledge should help shape health and well-being strategies.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Why Work May Never Be the Same, in 3 Graphs","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-1128917940-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/why-work-may-never-be-the-same-in-3-graphs.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 18 2020","description":"Before the pandemic, remote working not all that common. Mercer’s latest COVID-19 survey reveals that the majority of employers foresee a significant portion of their workers continuing to work remotely after the pandemic. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"How Bimbo is Feeding America, Keeping Employees Safe","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1209025695-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-bimbo-is-feeding-america-keeping-employees-safe.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 14 2020","description":"A case study of how one essential employer is managing through the pandemic and sharing what they learned to help other employers plan for the return to the worksite.\r\n","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Worksite Return: Lessons from Essential Businesses","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/1204304023-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/worksite-return-lessons-from-essential-businesses.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 07 2020","description":"The first priority is to develop a comprehensive plan to keep employees safe at work.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Poll Results: Furloughs, Lay-offs, and Health Benefit Decisions","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-1152386278-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/poll-results-furloughs-lay-offs-and-health-benefit-decisions.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 09 2020","description":"COVID-19 is forcing employers to make tough business decisions. Beth Umland shares which workforce alternatives employers are considering.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Waive Member Cost Sharing for COVID-19 Treatment – Or Not?","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-73773055-1600x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/waive-member-cost-sharing-for-COVID-19-treatment-or-not.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 02 2020","description":"Time for yet another quick decision for employers with self-funded health plans. With this week’s announcement that major carriers will waive cost-sharing for hospitalizations related to COVID-19 treatment for fully insured plan members, self-funded ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Mercer Poll Results: Are Employers Communicating with Employees about Telemedicine?","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-AdobeStock_126381513-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercer-poll-results-are-employers-communicating-with-employees-about-telemedicine.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 18 2020","description":"Mercer Poll Results: Are Employers Communicating with Employees about Telemedicine?","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Mercer Poll Results: Will employers compensate healthy employees who are unable to work?","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-AdobeStock_126381513-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercer-poll-results-will-employers-compensate-healthy-employees-who-are-unable-to-work.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 05 2020","description":"While almost half of respondents are still undecided, 48% say they will pay employees who are healthy but can’t get to work for reasons beyond their control.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Sign Me Up, or Not for Me? Workforce Digital Health Personas","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-909075682-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/sign-me-up-or-not-for-me-workforce-digital-health-personas.html","kickerTitle":"Digital health","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 27 2020","description":"If, like most employers, you’re eager to incorporate digital health into your program offerings, stop and read this first. An analysis of responses to our massive new Health on Demand survey found that workers can be divided into four distinct segmen","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Are Employees Ready for Digital Healthcare? Here’s What They Said When We Asked","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages//content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-607477457-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/are-employees-ready-for-digital-healthcare-heres-what-they-said-when-we-asked.html","kickerTitle":"Digital Healthcare","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 06 2020","description":"US employers want to satisfy employees’ desire for quality, convenient and affordable healthcare – but that’s a tall order given they face the highest health care costs in the world.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"HSA Enrollment Rises Even As Full-Replacement Strategies Decline","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/202169920-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/hsa-enrollment-rises-even-as-full-replacement-strategies-decline.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 07 2020","description":"Survey data shows that enrollment continues to grow over time when employers offer an HSA-eligible plan as a choice alongside PPOs or HMOs","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Everyone’s Asking: Why Is US Healthcare Spending Slowing?","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/669895948-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/everyones-asking-why-is-us-healthcare-spending-slowing.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Costs","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 12 2019","description":"Collectively employers have enormous leverage in the healthcare market. Their innovative strategies to manage cost are working and having a positive impact on cost growth nationally. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Look, Ma, No Deductible! JPM \u0026 Amazon Try Out New Health Plans from Haven","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/AdobeStock_178926935-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/look-ma-no-deductible-jpm-amazon-try-out-new-health-plans-from-haven.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Costs","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 07 2019","description":"The new Haven health plan that JPM just rolled out has no deductible requirement at all, a marked change from nearly all other health plans in the US. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Look, Ma: No Deductible! The First Haven Health Plan from the Amazon Venture Appears","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/AdobeStock_178926935-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/look-ma-no-deductible-the-first-haven-health-plan-from-the-amazon-venture-appears.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Costs","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 07 2019","description":"The new Haven health plan that JP Morgan just rolled out has no deductible requirement at all, a marked change from their existing health plan and from nearly all other health plans in the US. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Employers Shift Tactics in 2019 to Address Health Care Affordability","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/AdobeStock_163928482-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-shift-tactics-in-2019-to-address-health-care-affordability.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 31 2019","description":"Concerns about healthcare affordability have made employers increasingly reluctant to use the tried-and-true tactics. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Path Towards Higher Quality Healthcare","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/1062188098-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-path-towards-higher-quality-healthcare.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Quality","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 24 2019","description":"Not only was this Monday National Nut Day (true!), it also marked the beginning of National Healthcare Quality Week. Mercer’s Michael Garret lists steps you cou","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"The Flawed Logic of the Cadillac Tax, Explained","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-healthcare-news/us-health-blog-157417871.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-flawed-logic-of-the-cadillac-tax-explained1.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Cost","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 24 2019","description":"The so-called Cadillac Tax on health care has the potential to curtail employer sponsored health plans.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Health Benefit Cost Will Rise 3.9% in 2020, Mercer Survey Finds","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-79394124-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/health-benefit-cost-will-rise-in-2020-mercer-survey-finds1.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 19 2019","description":"We’re excited to share some early results from our latest National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans – a sneak peek at the health benefit cost increase for next year.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Health Benefit Cost Will Rise 3.9% in 2020, Mercer Survey Fi","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-79394124-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/health-benefit-cost-will-rise-in-2020-mercer-survey-finds.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 19 2019","description":"We’re excited to share some early results from our latest National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans – a sneak peek at the health benefit cost increase ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Looking to Improve Access to Behavioral Health Care? Consider Your EAP","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/547016589-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/looking-to-improve-access-to-behavioral-health-care-consider-your-eap.html","kickerTitle":"By The Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 22 2019","description":"Is your company’s EAP more of a “check the box” benefit than a true partner in addressing workforce behavioral health issues? In today’s challenging environment, you may need to ask more of your EAP. Recent survey results show EAPs are extending their reach with video or text-based counseling. Mercer’s Alisa Trugerman and Beth Umland discuss new EAP service models and the importance of a comprehensive approach to behavioral health care. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"A “Pink Tax” on Health Coverage?","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/522306108-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/a-pink-tax-on-health-coverage.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 15 2019","description":"Gaps in health plan benefits and the cost of coverage still exist -- and are compounded by the lower salary levels for employees in companies with higher concentrations of women workers.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Average HMO Cost Has Dipped Below PPO Cost. What’s Up with That?","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2019-health-insights-506513452-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/average-hmo-cost-has-dipped-below-ppo-cost-whats-up-with-that.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Costs","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 08 2019","description":"HMOs provide richer coverage than PPOs and traditionally have been more expensive. Over the past two decades, that fact has led employers in many parts of the country to drop HMO options from their medical plan offerings. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Opioid and Alcohol Abuse – Employers are Taking Action","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/22177D-wef-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/substance-use-in-the-workforce-employers-time-to-take-action.html","kickerTitle":"By The Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 18 2019","description":"Education about opioid and alcohol abuse can reduce their negative impact on employers.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Four Questions That Could Shake Up Your Strategy","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/ca-2017-m-a-ready-development-program-event-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/four-questions-that-could-shake-up-your-strategy.html","kickerTitle":"Innovation","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 17 2019","description":"HLTH is a conference that is 100% centered around health innovation. It brings together employers, payers, providers, pharma and the rest of the health ecosystem under one roof, working collaboratively towards the same goal – to create a better future for healthcare. Learn more about the conference here.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"DIY Mental Health: Survey Finds Employers Taking Action to Improve Access to Care","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/global/gl-2019-outlook-for-behavioral-health-benefits-610262070.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-finds-employers-taking-action-to-improve-access-to-care.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers ","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 23 2019","description":"Conducting employee health assessments to inform an employee assistance program for behavioral health care benefits medical plan cost and productivity.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Ready or Not, Telemedicine is Changing Healthcare Delivery","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/192825974-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/telemedicine-is-changing-healthcare-delivery.html","kickerTitle":"Market Disruption","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 18 2019","description":"Understanding how telemedicine is transforming healthcare is key to implementing effective telemedicine health plans. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Employers Weigh in on Drug Rebates","articleTag":"Prescription Drugs","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2017-health-benefits-medicine-bottles-health-and-benefits-solutions-0-photo.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-weigh-in-on-drug-rebates.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 11 2019","description":"Pharmaceutical rebates remain a hot topic in the drug pricing debate.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Beyond Autism Awareness: Making ASD Acceptance Part of Your Well-being Program","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/497323193-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/beyond-autism-awareness-making-asd-acceptance-part-of-your-well-being-program.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 04 2019","description":"Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder, affinity autism services and ASD specialty healthcare is becoming more common in employer packages.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"New Mercer Survey: Employers Overwhelmingly Support Preserving Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions ","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/new-mercer-survey-employers-overwhelmingly-support-preserving-coverage-for-pre-existing-conditions.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 27 2019","description":"According to a new Mercer survey, employers believe it’s important that Congress preserve coverage for ACA pre-existing conditions.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"When it Comes to Hospital Quality, Penalties Speak Louder than Words","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/when-it-comes-to-hospital-quality-penalties-speak-louder-than-words.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare Quality","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 21 2019","description":"The ACA’s Hospital Acquired Conditions Reduction Program places more emphasis on hospital safety programs and quality programs to avoid hospital penalties.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"On International Women’s Day, See How Your Benefits Compare to ‘the Best’","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-healthcare-news/us-2019-health-163024108-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/on-international-womens-day-see-how-your-benefits-compare-to-the-best.html","kickerTitle":"By the Numbers","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 07 2019","description":"The business case for supporting working mothers is to keep women in the workforce. Women employer benefits in healthcare are critical to this.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Employer-Led Health System Transformation: How Are We Doing?","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/global/gl-2018-when-women-thrive.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employer-led-health-system-transformation.html","kickerTitle":"Vitals for Change","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 14 2019","description":"Improving the US healthcare system requires a plan and the need to get people pulling together, which is what Mercer’s Vitals for Change framework is all about.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Are You Investing in the Right Well-Being Initiatives?","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/536906773-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/are-you-investing-in-the-right-well-being-initiatives.html","kickerTitle":"Well-being","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 11 2019","description":"The HERO scorecard is a free benchmarking tool that can help you identify ways to improve your support of employee well-being.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Needle Starts to Move on Reproductive Health Benefits","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer-consumer/Feature-Tiles/mcdm-4-signdoc-imt-08272018-991567472-525x250.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-needle-starts-to-move-on-reproductive-health-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"Infertility Benefits","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 20 2018","description":"Reproductive health benefits and offering infertility treatments in employer sponsored health plans can make an organization more attractive to employees.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"More on the Telemedicine Conundrum","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/192825974-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/more-on-the-telemedicine-conundrum.html","kickerTitle":"Data and Technology","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 13 2018","description":"Telemedicine benefits highlighted in a recent issue of Health Affairs dedicated to telehealth.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Why Your CEO Should Really Run in the Company 5K","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/europe/netherlands/nl-2018-man-with-bike-521811147.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/why-your-ceo-should-really-run-in-the-company-5k.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 18 2018","description":"The HERO Health and Well-Being Best Practices Scorecard run in collaboration with Mercer suggests company leaders are role models for health and well-being.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"You Know Health Benefits Matter. But Did You Know How Much?","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/AdobeStock_130045789.jpeg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/you-know-health-benefits-matter-but-did-you-know-how-much.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 04 2018","description":"Recent findings from the EBRI/Greenwald \u0026 Associates Health and Workplace Benefits Survey. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Flawed Logic of the Cadillac Tax, Explained","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-healthcare-news/us-health-blog-157417871.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-flawed-logic-of-the-cadillac-tax-explained.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 13 2018","description":"The so-called Cadillac Tax on health care has the potential to curtail employer sponsored health plans.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Sneak Preview of our New National Survey: 2019 Health Benefit Cost Growth","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-healthcare-news/beth-umland-national-survey-vlog-thumbnail-780x440-red2.bmp","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/sneak-preview-of-our-new-national-survey-2019-health-benefit-cost-growth.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 12 2018","description":"Here’s a sneak peek at the key results from the Mercer National Health Survey, Employee Benefits Survey and Health Care Survey.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Everyone Wants Telemedicine. So Why Aren’t Your Employees Using It?","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/gl-2018-technology-the-new-imperatives-for-financial-security-related-368x185.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/everyone-wants-telemedicine-so-why-arent-your-employees-using-it.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 28 2018","description":"Telemedicine benefits include greater convenience and lower out-of-pocket costs. So why isn’t Telemedicine in healthcare catching on more rapidly?","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Work less and prosper","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-healthcare-news/us-2019-on-the-blog-today-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/work-less-and-prosper.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 14 2018","description":"Longer hours don’t necessarily mean greater productivity as this New Zealand company discovered. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Are Employers Ready to Shake Up Health Care?","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/697534165-6720x4480.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/are-employers-ready-to-shake-up-health-care.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 09 2018","description":"An employers healthcare shakeup is suggested by a guide for employers from Mercer and Catalyst for Payment Reform called the Vitals for Change Scorecard.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Can the US Really be Going Backwards in Gender Parity?","articleTag":"","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/185743943-side-module-380x200.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/can-the-us-really-be-going-backwards-in-gender-parity.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 08 2018","description":"The US is losing ground to other advanced nations on gender parity.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Rx Rebates: Let’s Break It Down","articleTag":"Prescription Drugs","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/rx-rebates-lets-break-it-down.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 02 2018","description":"Understanding how drug rebates work is key to any reforms surrounding Rx rebates and why employer costs are slated to rise.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Worried About Healthcare Affordability for Your Low-Wage Workers? ","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/568775927-5760x3840.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/worried-about-healthcare-affordability-for-your-low-wage-workers.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 02 2018","description":"Employers with a low-paid workforce have taken steps to address the issue of healthcare affordability for their workers within business and budget realities.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Are Employers Really Overindulging on Health Insurance?","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/are-employers-really-overindulging-on-health-insurance.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 26 2018","description":"Health insurance overindulging allegations refuted.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mercer and CPR Introduce the Vitals for Change Scorecard","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/697534165-6720x4480.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercer-and-cpr-introduce-the-vitals-for-change-scorecard.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 19 2018","description":"Mercer and CPR’s Vitals for Change Scorecard is a free assessment and benchmarking tool that can help employers optimize health benefits programs.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Individual Mandate is Gone. So Who’s Dropping Coverage?","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-individual-mandate-is-gone-so-whos-dropping-coverage.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 27 2018","description":"Cost-shifting is a concern with the healthcare individual mandate gone.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Numbers Don’t Lie: Opioid Addiction in Employer Health Plan Populations","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/163392141-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/numbers-dont-lie-opioid-addiction-in-employer-health-plan-populations.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 10 2018","description":"Nearly 40 percent of people treated for opioid addiction are in health plans at work. Companies cannot ignore opioid addiction in employer health plans.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"When it Comes to HSA Plan Enrollment, Intention is Everything","articleTag":"Engagement","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/457979489.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/when-it-comes-to-hsa-plan-enrollment-intention-is-everything.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 03 2018","description":"Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plan found the growth of HSA plan enrollment depends upon how employers view the plan.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"High Cost Claims By the Numbers","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/697534165-6720x4480.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/high-cost-claims-by-the-numbers.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 20 2018","description":"Understanding the impact of high-cost claims could help you focus your healthcare cost management solutions where they will have the greatest benefit.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Innovations in Health Coverage: The Power of a Good Idea","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/europe/turkey/2018-tr-mercer-learning-banner1.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/innovations-in-health-coverage-the-power-of-a-good-idea.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 17 2018","description":"Mercer and the American Benefits Council have collaborated on a paper that showcases employer’s innovative health coverage strategies.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Study on US Healthcare: It’s the Prices","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/697534165-6720x4480.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/study-on-us-healthcare-its-the-prices.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 12 2018","description":"U.S. Healthcare Study finds managing healthcare costs and value are key to holding the line on U.S. Healthcare prices.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Surprisingly Strong Connection Between Well-being and Turnover","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/536906773-5760x3840.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-surprisingly-strong-connection-between-well-being-and-turnover.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 10 2018","description":"There is a direct correlation between employee and well-being. Employee turnover analysis reveals workers stick around longer when employers support well-being.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mitigating High-Cost Claims by Focusing on High-Value Services","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/697534165-6720x4480.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mitigating-high-cost-claims-by-focusing-on-high-value-services.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 05 2018","description":"A study of carrier claims data from Mercer Health Advantage reveals the number of high cost claims in healthcare is growing rapidly.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Apple Wants to Take Worksite Clinics to a Whole New Level","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/536906773-5760x3840.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/apple-wants-to-take-worksite-clinics-to-a-whole-new-level.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 15 2018","description":"Apple health careers at its own worksite health clinics are promising the company’s employees and their families the “world’s greatest health care experience”.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"New Report: Employer Innovations in Health Coverage","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/europe/germany/de-2018-webcast-betriebsrentenstaerkungsgesetz .jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/new-report-employer-innovations-in-health-coverage.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 12 2018","description":"Employer health solutions play a critical role in healthcare and employer innovations in health coverage are helping drive change in four vital areas.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Efforts to Roll Back the ACA Continue","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/efforts-to-roll-back-the-aca-continue.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 01 2018","description":"Efforts to effect an ACA rollback have failed, but ACA health coverage rules remain under attack. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"How Workers Feel About Health Benefits: Benchmark Data Available!","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/107670154-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-workers-feel-about-health-benefits-benchmark-data-available.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 09 2018","description":"EBRI’s Health and Workplace Benefits Survey provides insights into worker health benefits programs from the employees’ perspective.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Why Employers are Driving Innovation in Healthcare","articleTag":"Innovation","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/480812531.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/why-employers-are-driving-innovation-in-healthcare.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 08 2018","description":"The benefits of innovation in healthcare along with Healthcare Innovation insurance keeps employees healthy and productive.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Rising Uninsured Rates Will Be Felt in Employer Plans","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2017-health-benefits-person-making-calculations-health-and-benefits-solutions-0-infographic.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/rising-uninsured-rates-will-be-felt-in-employer-plans.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 24 2018","description":"Rising uninsured rates in healthcare lead to concerns we will see further erosion in coverage levels.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Why It May Be Getting Harder to Move Employees into CDHPs","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2018-697534165-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/why-it-may-be-getting-harder-to-move-employees-into-cdhps.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 10 2018","description":"What is a CDHP plan? A CDHP health plan for employees gives workers more financial responsibility as well as choice, while limiting employer costs.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"This New Year, Resolve to Help Employees Quit Smoking","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/480812531.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/this-new-year-resolve-to-help-employees-quit-smoking.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 14 2017","description":"Some employers vary their health plan premium contribution and program benefits based on employees’ tobacco use.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"What\u0027s in Your Five-Year Plan?","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/697534165-6720x4480.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/what-in-your-five-year-plan.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 16 2017","description":"Employers rate top health benefit strategies over the next five years to advance the triple aim of lower cost, higher quality, and a better member experience.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Survey Says Health Benefit Cost and Design Varies Around the Nation","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/697534165-6720x4480.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/health-benefit-cost-and-design-varies-around-the-nation1.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 16 2017","description":"Healthcare is local – and so are employer-sponsored health plans.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Employer Health Benefit Cost and Well-Being Experience in 2017 ","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/697534165-6720x4480.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/breaking-down-employer-cost-experience-in-2017.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 09 2017","description":"Tthe average per-employee total health benefit cost rose 2.6% from 2016 to 2017. Here\u0027s why.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Healthcare a Big Issue in Tuesday’s Election","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/healthcare-a-big-issue-in-tuesdays-election.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 09 2017","description":"This week Maine became the first state to vote to expand Medicaid with a ballot initiative. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mercer’s 2017 Survey Results Find Employers Holding the Line on Cost","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/697534165-6720x4480.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercers-2017-survey-results.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 02 2017","description":"Mercer national survey of employer sponsored health plans for 2017 finds minimal cost growth and no real shift to consumer-directed health plans.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"What If Employees Could Buy Coverage with Tax-Free HRA Contributions?","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-healthcare-news/us-health-blog-157417871.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/what-if-employees-could-buy-coverage-with-tax-free-hra-contributions.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 12 2017","description":"An executive order on healthcare signed by President Trump enables employers to fund HRA\u0027s with tax-free dollars so that employees can buy coverage on their own.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Health Reform That Employers Would Like to See: Mercer Survey Results","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/175138774-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-health-reform-that-employers-would-like-to-see-mercer-survey-results.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 28 2017","description":"Survey of health benefit professionals reveals their take on government health programs vs. a high deductible health plan.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mercer Survey Finds Employers Hold Health Benefit Cost Increases","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/501884333.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercer-survey-finds-employers-hold-health-benefit-cost-increases-to-43-maintaining-stable-growth.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 18 2017","description":"Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, finds an employer need to minimize exposure to the ACA excise tax on high deductible health plans.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Got Metrics? Assessing the Impact of Your Well-being Program","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/175138774.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/got-metrics-assessing-the-impact-of-your-well-being-program.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 07 2017","description":"HERO scorecard best practice metrics helps employers evaluate program results and build a database of outcomes data for research purposes.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"When Helping Helps Everyone: Responding to a Disaster","articleTag":"Engagement","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/85430719.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/when-helping-helps-everyone-responding-to-a-disaster.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 29 2017","description":"An organization\u0027s response to a disaster like hurricane Harvey can be important for employees.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Fighting the Opioid Battle Now: 7 Tactics for Employers","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/163392141.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/fighting-the-opioid-battle-now-7-tactics-for-employers.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 25 2017","description":"The BRIDGE detox device along with alternative pain management strategies such as non-opioid drug options can help ease ease opioid crisis.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Onward and Upward – the Evolution of Mercer Marketplace 365+","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/157864276-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/onward-and-upward-the-evolution-of-mercer-marketplace-365.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 23 2017","description":"The evolution of the Mercer Marketplace 365+ private exchange is discussed.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"From Volume to Value: Get Started Action Plan","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/457984213.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/from-volume-to-value-get-started-action-plan.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 22 2017","description":"In an effort to curb unnecessary procedures and rein in costs, more organizations are turning to value-based care (VBC) strategies.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Money Isn\u0027t Everything: Engaging Employees in Their Well-being","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/square-images/509260055-600x600.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/money-isnt-everything-strategies-for-engaging-employees-in-their-well-being.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 15 2017","description":"Higher participation rates are achieved when leaders embrace employee healthcare strategies and participate in engaging employees in health matters.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"When You Don’t Get What You Pay For: The Case for Value-Based Care","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/107429894.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/when-you-dont-get-what-you-pay-for-the-case-for-value-based-care.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 03 2017","description":"When you consider that about 30% of healthcare spending in the US is for services that don’t help – and may even hurt – the case for value-based care is clear. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"US Healthcare: Senate Passed American Healthcare Bill ","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/us-2017-healthcare-reform-flag-banner-edited.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/confused.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 26 2017","description":"This week in US healthcare facts, the Senate voted to bring the repeal-and-replace bill known as the American Health Care Act to the floor for debate.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"US Health Care System Performance Report ","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/547016209.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/a-distinction-we-dont-want.html","kickerTitle":"U.S. Healthcare System","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 19 2017","description":"US health system ranks at or near the bottom for outcomes, access, equity, and administrative efficiency when spending is considered as a percentage of GDP. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"What Lawmakers Need to Know About Employer Health Coverage","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/us-2017-healthcare-reform-flag-banner-edited.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/what-lawmakers-need-to-know-about-employer-health-coverage.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 14 2017","description":"Mercer comments on the results from a survey of employers asking about their views on the ACA and repeal and replace efforts.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"It Ain’t Over. And the Solution Might…Just Might!...Be Bipartisan","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/us-2017-healthcare-reform-flag-banner-edited.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/it-aint-over-and-the-solution-might-just-might-be-bipartisan.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 30 2017","description":"The release of the Senate health bill and the CBO score sent Senate Republicans into high gear to round up the required 50 votes needed to pass the bill.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Hidden Danger in Senate Bill for Employer Health Plan Sponsors","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/ot-landing/us-2017-healthcare-reform-flag-banner-edited.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/hidden-danger-in-senate-bill-for-employer-health-plan-sponsors.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 26 2017","description":"On the surface, the Senate bill has some positives for employers. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Blog Birthday: Mercer US Health News Blog is Three Years Old ","articleTag":"","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/175139092.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/blog-birthday-three-years-old-and-growing-fast.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 09 2017","description":"Mercer’s US Health News blog covering healthcare and consumer engagement turns three years old with a brand-new look and structure.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Connection Between Employee Well-Being and Turnover","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/hero-edited/us-2016-hero-edited-155735132-.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-connection-between-employee-well-being-and-turnover.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 09 2017","description":"Proving the value of an investment in employee health and wellbeing is challenging. Even though promoting employee health and wellbeing makes intuitive sense.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Other Kind of Healthcare Reform","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-other-kind-of-healthcare-reform.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 09 2017","description":"The drama we’ve been watching in Washington may go by the name “healthcare reform,” but it’s really about health insurance.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Analysis on Improved Gender Equality Benefits in Organizations ","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/analysis-suggests-aca-improved-gender-equality-in-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 16 2017","description":"Mercer’s National Employer Sponsored Health Plans survey finds health benefits at organizations are closer in parity than other gender equality benefits.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"How Employer Plans Changed Post ACA and How They Didn t","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-employer-plans-changed-post-aca-and-how-they-didn-t.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"May 08 2017","description":"The vote to pass the AHCA in the House – a first step on the road to repealing the ACA – has raised questions about how employers might respond if the AC","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"HSA Plans and Onsite Clinics Can This Marriage Be Saved","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/hsa-plans-and-onsite-clinics-can-this-marriage-be-saved.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 24 2017","description":"Can HSA eligible plans and onsite medical health clinics continue to co-exist?","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Health Savings Accounts Can They Work For Everyone","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/asiapacific/australia/2018/au-what-we-do-superannuation-super-ministration-2018-175138684-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/health-savings-accounts-can-they-work-for-everyone.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 06 2017","description":"Policymakers in Washington are signaling interest in liberalizing US health savings accounts rules.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"A New Set of Healthcare Priorities for Policymakers","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","imageURL":"","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/a-new-set-of-healthcare-priorities-for-policymakers.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 05 2017","description":"Just a few days after the dramatic collapse of efforts to pass the House GOP’s American Health Care Act, more than 1,300 folks with an interest in employer-spo","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Employers Take a Position on Repeal Replace AHCA Style ","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/hero-edited/us-2016-hero-edited-155735132-.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-take-a-position-on-repeal-replace-ahca-style.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 31 2017","description":"The American Health Care Act (AHCA) employer mandate repeal is being seen as a positive.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mercer Makes a Case for the Tax Exclusion","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercer-makes-a-case-for-the-tax-exclusion.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 22 2017","description":"Mercer healthcare reform makes case for employees tax exclusion from the excise tax on high cost plans.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mick Mulvaney: House Budget Hawk Turned OMB Director","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mick-mulvaney-house-budget-hawk-turned-omb-director.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 24 2017","description":"Mercer Medicare consultants note Mick Mulvaney has been chosen to lead the Office of Management and Budget gaining oversight on Medicare for employees.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Tax Cuts for Business Coming, Says Trump\u0027s Treasury Pick","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/tax-cuts-for-business-coming-says-trump-s-treasury-pick.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 19 2017","description":"Corporate tax cut said to engender faster and sustained economic growth by tempering the highest effective tax rates.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Linda McMahon Wrestles With a New Challenge The SBA","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/linda-mcmahon-wrestles-with-a-new-challenge-the-sba.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 18 2017","description":"Support for employee-owned cooperatives and SBA healthcare among the issues facing Linda McMahon as she takes over running the Small Business Administration.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"HSAs: Full Replacement or Choice","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/hsas-full-replacement-or-choice.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 20 2016","description":"While it’s far from clear where the incoming administration and Congress will land on the “replace” part of “repeal and replace” with r","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"More Employees Chose CDHPs in 2016, Slowing Cost Growth","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/more-employees-chose-cdhps-in-2016-slowing-cost-growth.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 01 2016","description":"More employees chose the CDHP in 2016. These lower-cost medical plans help employees better manage their spending on healthcare.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Real Cost of Behavioral Health Problems","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-real-cost-of-behavioral-health-problems.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 24 2016","description":"Study examines the health benefit cost of behavioral health issues as they relate to medical health.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Some Good News about Reference Based Pricing","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/some-good-news-about-reference-based-pricing.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 12 2016","description":"The U.S. healthcare system permits extreme variation in prices from one provider to the next, causing healthcare spending problems for employer-sponsored plans.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The iFHP Comparative Price Report – Read it and Weep","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-ifhp-comparative-price-report-read-it-and-weep.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 27 2016","description":"The International Federation of Health Plans 2015 Comparative Price Report of private health plans reveals why employers are embracing value-based care.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mercer Marketplace by the Numbers","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercer-marketplace-by-the-numbers.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 22 2016","description":"The numbers prove Mercer’s marketplace private health exchange beats HSA-eligible consumer directed health plans.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Onsite Clinics Popular with Best Companies to Work For","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/onsite-clinics-popular-with-best-companies-to-work-for.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 17 2016","description":"An onsite healthcare clinic benefit is key to the appeal of popular companies to work for.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Price of Pharma Industry and Drugs are Rising and How It Increases Per Employee Cost","articleTag":"Prescription Drugs","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/brand-name-or-generic-drug-prices-are-rising.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 05 2016","description":"Increases in generic drug price models are reflective of rising pharma industry price points in general.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Telemedicine\u0027s Rapid Growth Offers a Low Cost Alternative","articleTag":"Innovation","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/telemedicine-s-rapid-growth-offers-a-low-cost-alternative.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 22 2016","description":"The growth of telemedicine and the low cost of implementing telemedicine has significant benefits for employers.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mercer\u0027s Global Initiative: Gender Diversity at Workplace ","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/discussion-at-davos-when-women-thrive-we-all-thrive.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 21 2016","description":"Mercer’s women’s healthcare blog reports notable CEOs heard a World Economic Forum talk on gender diversity in the workplace and women employee health.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Understanding the Cost Conundrum","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/understanding-the-cost-conundrum.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 23 2015","description":"Medicare data has long been used as a barometer for health care costs overall, but a new study illustrates the vast differences between Medicare spend and private in","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Leveraging Telemedicine for Behavioral Health","articleTag":"Innovation","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/leveraging-telemedicine-for-behavioral-health.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 23 2015","description":"Employers moving quickly to add telemedicine for employees, as the value of telemedicine benefits and telemedicine for behavioral health is recognized.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Hospital Network Embraces Telemedicine","articleTag":"Innovation","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/hospital-network-embraces-telemedicine.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 11 2015","description":"In hospital telemedicine services cited as a more comprehensive offering, as well as giving physicians better access to patients’ electronic medical records.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Think Employees Don\u0027t Appreciate Their Benefits? Think Again","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/think-employees-don-t-appreciate-their-benefits-think-again.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 13 2015","description":"Employees health benefits strategies need to make them feel appreciated by their company. This is essential in retaining employees.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"When a High Cost Plan is Not High Cost","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/when-a-high-cost-plan-is-not-high-cost.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 01 2015","description":"We collect a lot of data in Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans (as those of you who have taken the survey well know — sorry and ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Good News Bad News The High Cost of Specialty Drugs","articleTag":"Prescription Drugs","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/good-news-bad-news-the-high-cost-of-specialty-drugs.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 03 2015","description":"Top specialty drugs lead the roster when it comes to high cost specialty drugs spending.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Employers Launch Worksite Clinics Despite ACA Uncertainty ","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-launch-worksite-clinics-despite-aca-uncertainty.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 27 2015","description":"Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans found growth in worksite clinics for employees key to improving worker health.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Dental Benefits Could Take the Bite Out of the Excise Tax","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/dental-benefits-could-take-the-bite-out-of-the-excise-tax.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 17 2015","description":"With employee dental benefits in US found lacking, Mercer dental insurance consulting advises improving employee dental coverage to attract talent.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Maternal Leave A Double Edged Sword for Women s Careers","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/maternal-leave-a-double-edged-sword-for-women-s-careers.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 07 2015","description":"Parental leave for employees, both male and female, could reduce the stigma attached to maternal leave for women employees.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"HSAs and HRAs Explained One s a Bagel One s a Doughnut","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/hsas-and-hras-explained-one-s-a-bagel-one-s-a-doughnut.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 22 2015","description":"Mercer’s Jay Savan explains the HRA account pros and cons and why some employers prefer one over the other.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"How Will the Same Sex Marriage Decision Affect DP Benefits","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-will-the-same-sex-marriage-decision-affect-dp-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 13 2015","description":"Legalizing same-sex marriage seems likely to affect employer offerings of domestic partner benefits (DP) coverage to same sex couples, redefining what is DP in sex.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"How to Achieve Higher CDHP Enrollment in 2016","articleTag":"Engagement","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-to-achieve-higher-cdhp-enrollment-in-2016.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 23 2015","description":"Low-cost, CDHP enrollment is one of employers’ top strategies for avoiding the excise tax. Here\u0027s how to make it happen.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"New Retiree Medical Options Rein in Cost","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/new-retiree-medical-options-rein-in-cost.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Apr 17 2015","description":"Survey of employer-sponsored health plans shows retiree medical benefits can rein in healthcare costs. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Make the Transition From Wellness to Well-being","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/make-the-transition-from-wellness-to-well-being.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Mar 04 2015","description":"The best employee wellness programs consider employee well being alongside health management programs and employer sponsored health benefits.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Health Services Coverage for Employees: What To Cover or Not ","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-stay-the-course-in-deciding-what-to-cover-or-not.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 17 2015","description":"Private health insurance coverage may be needed to supplement health services coverage for employees in certain cases.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Debate Over Wellness ROI Continues","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-debate-over-wellness-roi-continues.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 06 2015","description":"Employers rate employee health management among top cost management strategies, as employment based wellness improves both health and productivity.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The FSA Going Through Some Changes","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-fsa-going-through-some-changes.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 03 2015","description":"Mercer’s Employer-Sponsored Health Plans survey found employee contributions to health care plans fell while HSA-eligible consumer-directed health plans grew.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Ways to Save: 12 Tips for Employees","articleTag":"Engagement","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/ways-to-save-12-tips-for-employees.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Feb 03 2015","description":"We’ve written before that a true consumerism strategy means balancing higher employee health plan cost-sharing with tools, resources and education to help them","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"HMO Use Shrinking Even as Interest in Integrated Care Grows","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/hmo-use-shrinking-even-as-interest-in-integrated-care-grows.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jan 14 2015","description":"HMO enrollment is slipping compared to high-deductible consumer-directed health plans. But there are signs the integrated HMO model is finding favor again.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Consumer Directed Health Plans (CDHP) Put The Breaks on Health Spending ","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/cdhps-put-the-brakes-on-health-spending.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 10 2014","description":"Mercer’s 2014 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans found consumer directed health plans enrollment increased from 18% to 23% of covered employees.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Preparing for the 2018 Excise Tax","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/preparing-for-the-2018-excise-tax.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Dec 03 2014","description":"Marcer`s National Survey of Employee Sponsored Health Plans finds employers might hit excise tax on healthcare insurance coverage.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Well-intended Gender Diversity Efforts Not Moving the Needle","articleTag":"Innovation","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/well-intended-gender-diversity-efforts-not-moving-the-needle.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 11 2014","description":"The following is an extract from \"When Women Thrive, Businesses Thrive,\" a report on Mercer\u0027s compelling new study of gender diversity in the workplace.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Giving Worksite Clinics a New Look","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/giving-worksite-clinics-a-new-look.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Nov 04 2014","description":"Employers are turning to worksite clinics for primary care as a key health care strategy component. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Health Plan Coverage Benefits Parity At Workforce ","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/behind-in-pay-behind-in-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 17 2014","description":"Less generous employer sponsored health plans at organizations with predominantly female workforces leave women with inferior health plan coverage.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Shopping for Health Plans at Wal Mart","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/shopping-for-health-plans-at-wal-mart.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 16 2014","description":"Wal-Mart shoppers can discuss health plan options, get health plan information and get health insurance right at the store with DirectHealth.com.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mercer Marketplace Offered to Nearly 5 Times More Lives","articleTag":"Engagement","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercer-marketplace-offered-to-nearly-5-times-more-lives.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 13 2014","description":"The Mercer Marketplace private benefits exchange’s voluntary benefits are superior to those of individual medical insurance for a number of reasons.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Incentives Can Be Tricky Business","articleTag":"Engagement","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/incentives-can-be-tricky-business.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 10 2014","description":"This Wall Street Journal article highlights what many employers with a health management program already know: incentives can be tricky business. Financial incentive","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"What\u0027s Different About a Full Replacement CDHP?","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/what-s-different-about-a-full-replacement-cdhp.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 07 2014","description":"Health reform has accelerated employer adoption of consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs). More than a third of all large US employers (500 or more employees) \u0026mdash","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"25 Best Practices That Can Lower Health Benefit Cost ","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/25-best-practices-that-can-lower-health-benefit-cost.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Oct 01 2014","description":"Defined contribution and health insurance best practices are capable of reducing employer health benefit costs.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Medicare Advantage Plans Increasingly Popular","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/medicare-advantage-plans-increasingly-popular.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 24 2014","description":"Slow growth in premiums for Medicare Advantage Plans possibly owed to retiree medical exchange programs like the Mercer Marketplace Medicare Exchange.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Best Source for Best Practices in Health Management","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-best-source-for-best-practices-in-health-management.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 24 2014","description":"Employee health management program best practices scorecard outlines health status targets to achieve optimal health and financial outcomes.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Anything Beyond Health News to Increase Employee Satisfaction? ","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/beyond-health-well-being.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 22 2014","description":"A good health management program goes beyond health management solutions to focus on questions of purpose.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Mercer Reports Health Benefit Cost Increase for 2015","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/mercer-reports-health-benefit-cost-increase-for-2015.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 15 2014","description":"Mercer survey shows health benefit cost of employer health plans is on the rise.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Prepping for Another Round of Rx Benefit Cost Growth","articleTag":"Prescription Drugs","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/prepping-for-another-round-of-rx-benefit-cost-growth.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Sep 05 2014","description":"Growth in Rx costs anticipated as specialty drug costs in the United States increase despite effect of low cost generic drugs on prescription drug benefit.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Will There be Demand for Copper Plans?","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/will-there-be-demand-for-copper-plans.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 25 2014","description":"Back in November, a Democratic senator facing a tough re-election introduced legislation that would amend PPACA to allow for “copper” plans – healt","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"One Employer\u0027s Strategy to Boost Onsite Clinic Use","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/one-employer-s-strategy-to-boost-onsite-clinic-use.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 21 2014","description":"Employer on site employee health clinic benefits helping employees manage health spending with targeted communications.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"New Tactics, Tools Help Wellness Programs Lift Their Game","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/new-tactics-tools-help-wellness-programs-lift-their-game.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 15 2014","description":"Employee health management to lower cost of health management programs for employees lifts wellness program inclusion to forefront. ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"It s 2014 We All Have Electronic Health Records Right","articleTag":"Innovation","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/it-s-2014-we-all-have-electronic-health-records-right.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Aug 11 2014","description":"Pretty much everyone agrees that electronic health records (EHR) are a good thing. The benefits include better-coordinated, safer care; fewer duplicative tests and p","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Employer Sponsored health Plans: A Bigger Role for Voluntary Benefits ","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/a-bigger-role-for-voluntary-benefits.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 25 2014","description":"Mercer survey asks will employees actually purchase voluntary benefits to supplement employer-sponsored health plans? ","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Employees Engagement to Maximize Benefit Education ","articleTag":"Engagement","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/engaging-employees-in-benefits-education.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 21 2014","description":"Mercer Employee Benefits online courses teach managers to help workers to maximize employee benefit value for optimal health, wellness and retirement outcomes.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"How Big Data Could Transform Health Care","articleTag":"Innovation","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-big-data-could-transform-health-care.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jul 14 2014","description":"Slow to warm up to big data in health care, the industry is currently undergoing a big data health transformation.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"The Case for Including Spouses in Employee Health Management","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-case-for-including-spouses-in-employee-health-management.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 27 2014","description":"The Health Enhancement Research Organization monitors health risks to demonstrate savings for employee health management and health care costs.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"If Employers Measured Health Like Financial Performance","articleTag":"Surveys \u0026 Analytics","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/if-employers-measured-health-like-financial-performance.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 24 2014","description":"The Vitality Institute is calling on companies to use financial measurement in healthcare to report employee health metrics the same way they report earnings.","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]},{"title":"Why Employees Hate Work","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/why-employees-hate-work.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Beth Umland"],"publishDate":"Jun 03 2014","description":"It\u0027s not surprising that this article is getting a lot of buzz: The provocative title draws you in and the sense of recognition keeps you reading!","otherTagsId":["Beth Umland"]}]