Negocios Now
As 2025 approaches, businesses and employers navigate a complex landscape of rising healthcare costs, vendor accountability, and the potential policy impacts of the 2024 election. According to the Business Group on Health, these pressing issues are shaping the next year’s top health and well-being trends.
The Rising Tide of Health Care Costs
Healthcare costs are increasing at a pace not seen in over a decade. Employers have long prioritized cost management, quality, and outcomes, but the sharp rise in expenses pushes many organizations to reconsider their healthcare strategies. In 2025, companies are expected to explore disruptive solutions, including re-evaluating long-standing partnerships and intensifying Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to boost vendor transparency and accountability.
Advanced primary care, value-based initiatives, and chronic condition management programs are set to play a central role in combating these escalating costs. Meanwhile, pharmacy expenditures, which consume over a quarter of U.S. employers’ healthcare budgets, will be scrutinized. Companies must reassess pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and leverage cost-effective options such as biosimilars to address specialty medication spending.
A New Approach to Well-Being Programs
Chronic conditions and surging healthcare costs are prompting employers to re-evaluate well-being initiatives. Using data-driven insights, organizations will assess the effectiveness of these programs, particularly weight-management initiatives that incorporate best practices and integrate with health benefits.
The focus will also remain on mental health. While progress has been made in reducing stigma and increasing access, mental health challenges—ranging from maternal and adolescent mental health to substance use disorders—remain a top concern. Employers are working to integrate mental health services more effectively into primary care and to promote comprehensive, stigma-free support for employees globally.
Vendor Accountability Takes Center Stage
As businesses seek to streamline and improve their partnerships, vendor accountability will become a significant focus in 2025. Employers demand accessible data on cost transparency, quality, and outcomes to make informed decisions. Some are considering direct contracts with Centers of Excellence (COEs) or network arrangements encouraging employees to choose high-value providers.
Employers aim to enhance the overall healthcare experience by holding vendors to higher standards. This ensures employees can access the right support at the right time while managing costs effectively.
Policy and Global Economic Impacts
The 2024 U.S. election is likely to influence the healthcare landscape. Employers are paying close attention to policy developments that could affect tax-free health plan coverage, ERISA preemption, and vendor transparency regulations. Globally, rising healthcare costs exert pressure on social health systems, creating challenges for multinational organizations.
Driving Change in Health Care
Employers remain committed to advancing healthcare innovation, equity, and value-based care despite the challenges. By fostering stakeholder collaboration, businesses aim to achieve their collective goal: affordable, high-quality health care for employees worldwide.
The trends outlined by the Business Group on Health underscore the critical role employers play in shaping the future of health care. As 2025 unfolds, their strategic decisions will be instrumental in navigating a rapidly evolving health and well-being landscape.
