New and innovative healthcare benefits to add to your benefit plans

5 new and innovative healthcare benefits to add to your plans

June 28, 2022 5:30 AM

Your employees’ health and wellness needs are ever-changing, and the best companies are staying ahead of the curve with benefits that address new asks.

Forty-four percent of employers added or expanded their health and wellness benefits in 2021, according to data from PwC. Employers are also planning for cost increases: Willis Towers Watson expects premiums to increase 4.7% to 5.2% in 2022. But those investments are a big selling point for potential employees, as 83% of employees say their benefits are a deciding factor in whether they will stay or leave a job.

A standard healthcare plan is no longer enough for most employees — workers want benefits that are unique to them, and that deliver the care they actually need. Whether it’s helping them navigate a life challenge like a cancer diagnosis, or individualized support for healthcare that doesn’t discriminate, there are a number of new and innovative offerings for employers to add to their plans. Here are a few that are standing out from the crowd.

Cancer care and support

John Hancock recently announced a partnership with Access Hope to offer personalized support for people battling cancer. Access Hope offers 24/7 virtual support for patients, as well as their caregivers and families. The platform will also connect an individual’s doctor to medical professionals at the National Cancer Institute to better align treatment needs.

Read more:

Access to best-in-class cancer care is now a benefit for John Hancock employees

Mental health for kids and teens

To support your employees’ mental health, you need to address their children’s well-being, too. Popular meditation platform Headspace has a dedicated program to address adolescent behavioral health. Employee benefit platform Lyra Health’s Concierge program provides parents with a Lyra care navigator who will find and evaluate programs to fit their needs.

Read more:

How this app is giving parents the tools to tackle their children’s mental health challenges

BIPOC-focused telehealth

Not all healthcare professionals are equipped to care for every patient. Telemedicine platform Spora Health created a Primary Care Network for People of Color to help employees find providers who are trained to address healthcare inequality. Many of the providers are also trained through Spora’s culturally competent care training institute.

Read more:

How this telehealth company is helping employers offer culturally centered healthcare benefits

Fertility and women's health

Employers are taking a more active interest in female health. Family building benefit company WINFertility is partnering with Ava to give employees ovulation tracking bracelets, which can offer better insight into their reproductive health. Carrot Fertility is offering at-home fertility testing kits through a partnership with at-home test company Imaware.

Read more:

Carrot CHRO explains how to ensure fertility benefits include LGBTQ families

Parental counseling and support

Sometimes parents may just need a listening ear and some guidance when it comes to addressing the health and well- being of their kids. Cleo launched a new vertical, Cleo Teens, which provides education on topics like sexual health, gender identity and mental health challenges. Maro Parents is providing guidance through their app for parents tackling tough conversations around puberty, adolescent mental health and race and diversity issues.

Read more:

Decoding your teen: Cleo offers a playbook for working parents