Benefits Trends to Watch in 2022

We're tracking the key benefits trends shaping employer decisions in 2022. Here's what the data shows.

Trend 1: Mental Health Mainstreaming

Mental health has moved from niche benefit to core offering:

• Employers are adding dedicated mental health apps and tools
• Therapy access is being streamlined with lower barriers
• Manager training on mental health is becoming standard

This isn't a temporary COVID response. It's a permanent shift in how employers approach employee wellbeing.

Trend 2: Contribution Strategy Evolution

How employers share costs with employees is changing:

• Family tier contributions are getting more scrutiny
• HDHP incentive strategies (higher employer contributions for HDHP enrollment) are more common
• Surcharges continue to spread

The days of "we've always done it this way" are ending. Employers are being more intentional about contribution design.

Trend 3: Telehealth Normalization

Telehealth has settled into a permanent role:

• Nearly all employers now offer telehealth
• Cost-sharing is standardizing (typically $0-25 copay)
• Mental health telehealth is particularly valued
• Questions remain about appropriate use cases

The pandemic forced an experiment; the results were positive enough to make it permanent.

Trend 4: Self-Funding Expansion

More mid-size employers are exploring self-funded arrangements:

• Level-funding serves as an on-ramp for the risk-averse
• Stop-loss markets remain competitive
• Transparency and control appeal to employers frustrated with fully-insured opacity
• PBM carve-outs and direct contracting are entering the conversation

Trend 5: Voluntary Benefits Growth

Employers are expanding voluntary offerings:

• Critical illness and accident insurance
• Hospital indemnity
• Pet insurance
• Identity theft protection

These low-cost additions let employers enhance packages without budget impact.

What to Watch

As 2022 progresses, we're watching:

• How inflation affects benefits budgets
• Whether the talent market stays tight
• Self-funding adoption in smaller employers
• Mental health benefit sophistication

The data will continue to tell the story.