2021 Benefit Expectations

With so much disruption in the workforce due to COVID-19, employers are considering postponing major benefit changes until 2022.  Reasons include:  ​​

• Due to concerns with COVID-19, employees and families did not utilize their benefits, such as doctor visits and operations, creating uncertainty of medical plan increases in 2021
• With employees still working remotely, it becomes more  difficult to communicate major changes
• After the disruption caused by COVID-19, employers and employees are looking forward to getting back to normal and not creating additional stress

According to the Consultancy PwC’s Health Research Institute, 2021 increases for health insurance could range between 4% and 10%.  Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans recently stated an expected average cost increase of 4.4% for 2021.
With employees still working remotely, communicating to employees may be more difficult and employers should utilize technology available such as email, company internet sites or Zoom meetings to communicate 2021 benefits. 

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