In a recent report from Mercer Marsh Benefits, a division of Marsh McLennan specialising in health and benefits consultancy, it has been revealed that non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer are presently the primary contributors to medical claims in India. Projections indicate that the costs of employer-sponsored health insurance in India are anticipated to increase by 11% in 2024, compared to the 9.6% observed in 2023, signaling a return to levels seen before the pandemic.
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The Mercer Marsh Health Trends Report 2024 questioned 223 insurers across 58 countries and analysed the key trends shaping the future of employer-provided healthcare globally.
Key Findings Of The Report
According to the report, plan improvements and delivering increasingly sought-after ailment and demography-specific employee health benefits will be the key drivers in cost containment next year, with half (57%) of insurers globally expecting plan improvements to take precedence over cost-cutting measures.
Tele Consultations
Transformational healthcare solutions such as digital outpatient services and virtual tools – including tele/video consultations with doctors, wearable devices, and remote patient monitoring – are contributing to improved accessibility and affordability for both employees and organisations. Already, 50% of insurers surveyed across Asia – including India – are already using these tools to deliver greater programme efficiencies for their clients.
Role Of Artificial Intelligence
Further, 70% of insurers surveyed globally expect the future use of artificial intelligence for first-line diagnosis and/or navigation to have a transformative impact on employer-sponsored healthcare over the next five years.
The research also found that – despite insurers globally extending cover for under-represented groups, with 31% considering adding diagnosis, learning support, or occupational therapy to support neurodiversity – diversity and inclusion gaps continue to persist in India, especially for benefits relating to mental health, women’s health, and people with disabilities.
Prawal Kalita, employee benefits leader, Marsh India, said, “Organisations in India are faced with mounting financial pressures associated with rising premiums. This necessitates a renewed focus on balancing cost containment in the short term with the provision of high-quality benefits that support the needs of an evolving workforce and aid talent attraction and retention in the longer term.
“By embracing outpatient primary healthcare and digital healthcare solutions, refreshing benefits strategies through flexible benefits programmes, and bridging coverage gaps, organisations in India can manage rising costs more effectively and pave the way for accessible and effective healthcare plans for all,” Kalita added.
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