I’m quite confident in saying the answer to this will vary from person to person, but there are some generally universal essentials. In health care, we’re always talking about the financial impact of services and ways to contain costs, so that’s definitely top of mind across the board. Quality care, flexibility in options and accessibility are way up there, too. But one somewhat newer theme that’s really emerging right now is the human aspect of care.

What does this mean? Aside from more savings and selections, employees want care services within their health plans that are customized to their individual needs. They don’t want a one-size-fits-all treatment plan that checks the boxes by condition, but rather, personalized care that takes their overall well-being into account.

For as much as employees pay for care, they also expect more meaningful interaction with their team of providers. This desire for a more engaging experience includes features such as: visits that don’t feel rushed … diagnoses and treatment options that are clearly explained … open communication that leaves them feeling confident about their care decisions.

Yes, emphasizing the human side of care can be tricky, especially in a time when we’re implementing more technology-driven tactics like telemedicine and trying to keep costs in check. But with every employee benefit solution we consider for our health plans, it’s important to be sure that patient-centric care is the number one focus.