The future of health care: insurance trends for 2025

Virtual services have become increasingly popular since the COVID pandemic in 2020. According to the American Medical Association, the federal government and many states have passed legislation since then, expanding coverage for telehealth services by state and federal insurers such as Medicaid and Medicare. Many private-sector insurers have followed suit and have begun covering – and even promoting – this method of care. This has removed an early barrier to virtual care.

The benefits of telehealth are clear:

• You can stay in the comfort of your home.
• Appointments are available around the clock.
• Visits usually cost less than other types of care.
• You are protected from exposure to viruses and germs that others may be carrying in the clinic setting.

Many minor injuries and illnesses – including allergies, colds and flu, GI issues, ear infections, fevers, headaches, nausea and vomiting, pink eye, respiratory issues, and UTIs – can be treated virtually while meeting standards of care.

Allstate Benefits includes virtual urgent care and virtual counseling (see more information about virtual counseling under Mental Health Resources) with all plan designs. Virtual care providers are available 24/7, and patients can be seen in as few as 48 hours.

In addition, our virtual musculoskeletal care program provides a personalized team that diagnoses, treats and manages conditions that affect the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves, helping to avoid unnecessary and costly surgeries.

Allstate Benefits also offers a virtual program for cancer patients. This educational and support program, designed by oncologists, helps members take control of their cancer care and achieve better outcomes, helping them get back to their lives and work faster and saving everyone money.

Employer costs for providing health benefits are projected to rise 8% to 9% in 2025. This would be the third consecutive year of record increases. It’s no wonder that one of the top priorities for employers is keeping better control of health benefit costs.

Allstate Benefits offers programs and benefits specifically designed to help reduce your health care costs. Check out these money-saving features, which are available with our portfolio of health plan designs:

• Prescriptions: Our small-group offerings include the services of Cigna Pharmacy Management. Cigna offers innovative products and pharmaceutical expertise, which helps improve clinical outcomes. They also leverage large purchasing power to negotiate affordable pricing, providing an average savings of three percent per member, per month.
  For groups with more than 50 enrolled employees, Allstate Benefits also offers specialty drug program options designed to result in substantial savings for both plan members and employers.
• High-quality provider networks: Whether choosing a self-funded plan design or a fully insured plan through Allstate Benefits, there are options to save big by using providers in one of our local or broad provider networks.
• Pricing transparency tool: Allstate Benefits now offers CompassConnect™ with Core Value reference-based pricing plans. CompassConnect¹ helps your members find and compare providers, so they can choose the one that best suits their budget and needs. Core Value plans allow members to see any provider² for most services, and the CompassConnect tool makes it easier to get estimates for their out-of-pocket costs and find a provider who:
  • Is likely to accept Core Value plans.
  • Offers specialized care at the right price.
  • Is located nearby.
  • Has high CMS ratings.

Employers remain committed to offering employees access to mental health treatment and counseling, and almost 80% of employers have seen an increase in utilization of these benefits to treat a mental health or substance abuse disorder.

Virtual counseling is available with all Allstate Benefits plan designs for members age 10 and older. Virtual counseling sessions by licensed counselors, social workers and therapists are available in as few as 48 hours. Virtual counseling can be ideal for:

• ADHD / ADD
• Anxiety / stress
• Bipolar disorder
• Sleep disorders
• Substance abuse
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Grief / loss
• PTSD
• And more

Employers have recognized the value and efficacy of workplace wellness programs for several years and this trend is expected to continue in 2025.

Allstate Benefits offers a comprehensive approach to wellness that incorporates elements that are scientifically and clinically proven to have the greatest impact. When your employees are living a healthier lifestyle, they tend to perform better on the job, they have fewer sick days and everyone saves on medical bills.

This program promotes:

• Physical health by providing incentives to build long-term physical activity habits.
• Mental health by encouraging sleep and mindfulness habits that improve mental well-being.
• Nutrition through educational courses, recipes and assessments designed to improve eating habits.
• Good financial practices that can help lessen stress-related illnesses.

Allstate Benefits has plan designs specifically suited for small and mid-sized businesses, with groups from 2 to 500 employees. Contact a Group Health sales executive to learn more about how Allstate Benefits can help your company offer quality benefits at a budget-friendly price.