New Survey Reveals Critical Disconnects in Employer-Employee Healthcare Benefits Perspectives

The Employee Benefit News State of Healthcare Survey 2025, sponsored by Quantum Health, reveals a fundamental disconnect between employer and employee perspectives on healthcare benefits. As benefit costs escalate, employers face mounting pressure to deliver value while questioning whether employees understand how to utilize available offerings or even desire them in the first place. The research provides a rare comparative analysis of decision-making processes and trust dynamics within healthcare benefits administration.

Key findings indicate that employers are scaling back benefits in response to rising costs and evolving employee expectations, creating tension in workplace healthcare strategies. Data and trust gaps are complicating efforts to refine benefits approaches, while long-standing assumptions about who both parties trust in decision-making are being fundamentally challenged. The survey demonstrates that satisfaction with healthcare benefits doesn't necessarily correlate with how effectively those benefits are utilized, suggesting deeper systemic issues.

Communication emerges as a critical yet frequently overlooked factor in employee engagement with healthcare options. Janet King, SVP of Content Strategy at Arizent, emphasizes that "in a market where cost pressures and expectations are both high, trust is emerging as a make-or-break factor." She notes that employers seeking to improve satisfaction and outcomes must critically examine their communication strategies and understand who employees trust to guide their healthcare decisions.

The data clearly establishes two fundamental realities: healthcare benefits remain a crucial consideration for employees evaluating current or prospective positions, while employee satisfaction continues to represent a key component of the value these offerings provide employers. The comprehensive report aims to assist employers in tailoring support mechanisms that optimize benefits value through better alignment with employee needs and preferences.