2025 Voice of the Benefits Leader Report

New survey reveals how 250 benefits professionals are adapting their strategies in 2025

Healthcare benefits leaders across the country are facing a challenging reality: nearly all organizations are preparing for significant budget increases while trying to keep employees happy with their benefits packages. A comprehensive new study sheds light on how benefits professionals are navigating these unprecedented economic pressures.

The scale of the challenge

The numbers tell a stark story. According to the "Voice of the Benefits Buyer" survey, which polled 250 healthcare benefits leaders between May 28-June 10, 2025, an overwhelming 92% of organizations expect their healthcare budgets to increase. What's driving these increases? Recent tariff changes are having a domino effect throughout the healthcare system.

The impact varies, but it's widespread:

• 37% of organizations expect moderate budget increases of 6-10%
• 32% are bracing for significant increases of 11% or more
• Only 5% expect no increase at all

These tariff changes are likely increasing costs across the board—from medical devices and pharmaceuticals to basic healthcare supplies—creating pressure that ultimately flows down to employer healthcare budgets.

Fighting back with strategic cost containment

Benefits leaders aren't sitting idle. They're implementing a variety of strategies to manage these rising costs while trying to maintain the quality of benefits their employees expect.

The most popular approaches include:

• Shifting costs to employees: Nearly half (47%) are increasing employee premium contributions
• Prevention over treatment: An equal 47% are implementing wellness programs
• Negotiating better deals: 40% are working directly with providers and carriers to negotiate better rates
• Changing plan structures: 39% are moving to high-deductible health plans
• Alternative pricing models: 38% are exploring reference-based pricing

What's notable is that less than 1% of organizations are taking no action at all. This shows that benefits leaders universally recognize the need to be proactive about cost management.

Innovation despite pressure

Despite these financial pressures, there's a silver lining: organizations aren't just cutting costs—they're getting creative. Benefits leaders are actively pursuing innovative solutions that can deliver better value for both employers and employees.

The survey reveals growing adoption of:

• Healthcare point solutions that target specific health issues
• Expanded telehealth services for convenient care access
• Value-based care models that reward outcomes over volume
• Enhanced mental health coverage and digital wellness tools

Organizations are also becoming more sophisticated in how they measure success, investing in capabilities to assess whether their healthcare technology investments are actually working.

A new employee-centric approach

Perhaps most encouragingly, the data shows that benefits management is evolving beyond pure cost-cutting. Today's benefits leaders are taking a more holistic approach that puts employee experience at the center of their strategy.

This shift includes:

• Regular employee satisfaction surveys
• Analysis of benefits utilization data
• Active feedback collection from employees
• Personalized wellness programs
• Flexible coverage options that meet diverse needs

What this means for 2025 and beyond

The survey paints a picture of a healthcare benefits landscape under significant economic strain, but also one where leaders are rising to the challenge with innovative thinking and strategic planning.

"This survey reveals a healthcare benefits landscape under significant economic pressure, with organizations actively seeking innovative solutions to maintain competitive benefits packages despite rising costs," the report concludes. "The data indicates that 2025 will be a pivotal year for healthcare benefits strategy."

The key takeaway? Benefits leaders are being forced to become more strategic, more innovative, and more employee-focused than ever before. While the economic pressures are real and significant, they're also driving positive changes in how organizations think about and deliver healthcare benefits.

As we move through 2025, the organizations that successfully balance cost containment with employee satisfaction—while embracing new technologies and approaches—will likely emerge stronger and more competitive in the talent market.

The "Voice of the Benefits Buyer" survey was conducted by Censuswide among 250 healthcare benefits professionals in the United States.

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