4 health benefits trends for chronic conditions

As we enter a new year, the healthcare landscape for employers will continue to experience major changes. From increased costs due partly to the surge of GLP-1s, and the rise of people managing multiple chronic conditions, the challenges — and opportunities — are becoming more complex. Staying ahead will require our industry to adopt strategies that are holistic, data-driven, and value-based.

Here are four key health benefits trends to watch in 2025 as employers look to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

1. Vendors will be accountable for more and must deliver ROI 
The future for benefits vendors hinges on one critical factor: delivering real, measurable results now, not years down the road. Employers are no longer satisfied with vague claims or promises of assumed savings — they are demanding immediate, tangible evidence of return on investment. Simply showing improved clinical metrics — such as a small group's lower A1C levels — while projecting future savings is no longer sufficient. Employers require concrete, sustained cost reductions in high-expense populations, particularly those managing multiple chronic conditions.

To stay competitive, vendors must meet these tightened expectations by providing clear, data-backed evidence that their interventions are actively driving down overall healthcare costs. Solutions that fail to prove their worth in real-time will quickly find themselves replaced.

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2. The surge of GLP-1s will demand a cost-smart strategy
As utilization of GLP-1s continues to skyrocket, especially in populations with multiple chronic conditions, use of these medications adds layers of complexity to treatment regimens, as well as healthcare cost management. We're looking at a future where single-point weight loss solutions cannot effectively address the needs of those taking these drugs.

GLP-1s are demonstrating benefits across a growing list of conditions, beyond obesity and diabetes, including heart failure, sleep apnea and more. As use expands, it will become increasingly important to consider the GLP-1 support needs of populations with multiple chronic conditions. Employers will need to focus on optimizing cross-condition outcomes to mitigate both medical and Rx cost implications.

In 2025 and beyond, employers must focus on how these prescriptions are covered, ensuring they are part of an integrated care approach rather than a siloed, single-point solution. The challenge will be to manage these high-cost medications in a way that balances financial priorities with the health needs of a population.

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3. Chronic condition management will favor whole-person care over single point solutions
With an overwhelming number of digital solutions targeting specific conditions — such as diabetes, hypertension, or weight loss — many industry professionals are struggling to identify which solutions drive both health improvements and savings, especially in populations managing multiple chronic conditions.

Studies on digital diabetes and hypertension programs have shown that while these solutions can reduce spending in the long term, they often increase short-term costs without providing immediate results. Worse yet, many of these programs fail to address related health issues — such as mental health, sleep, and nutrition — that can significantly impact overall health outcomes.

For example, a person with diabetes may also suffer from sleep issues, gastrointestinal issues, or obesity, all of which complicate the management of their diabetes and worsen their overall health. When we step back and look upstream, we often find that lifestyle factors like sleep or diet can vastly improve the initial condition and become the most effective and least costly components of the treatment plan.

In 2025, we predict the industry will accelerate its shift from siloed, single-condition solutions to a whole-person care model that addresses interconnected health concerns and fosters long-term health improvements.

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4. Sustainable health outcomes require a relationship-based approach
A critical factor in achieving long-term health improvements is a consistent source of support, especially in an era where reduced doctor appointment times, limited pharmacist consultations, and fragmented care have weakened the provider-patient relationship. Studies show that strong physician-patient relationships are linked to better health outcomes, but as time spent with providers diminishes, so does the opportunity for meaningful engagement.

Whether through a personal trainer, physical therapist, or health coach, relationship-based care can bridge this gap, providing individuals with consistent support to sustain behavior changes over time.

Moving forward, we expect more employers to adopt relationship-based care models, leading to improved care plan adherence, better outcomes, and a reduction in high chronic care costs.

Redefining health benefits: Integrated approaches for a healthier future
The current and future projections of chronic condition rates will require employers and their vendor partners to shift toward more accountable, results-driven, and holistic approaches.

By moving beyond point solutions and focusing on the interconnected aspects of health while managing costs effectively, employers will see tangible improvements in clinical outcomes and cost reductions now and in the years to come. This year will be about treating the whole person, not just their conditions, and that's the direction we must take now and in the future.