Access the 2021 Survey here.

2021 Survey highlights

This year’s survey represents employer and employee sentiments after more than one year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not surprisingly, both plan members and sponsors felt the impact of the pandemic.

Plan members cite poorer health, delayed treatments and mental health concerns as some of their challenges. On a positive note, they have appreciated access to virtual care offered through their group benefits plan.

Similarly, plan sponsors are concerned about the impact of delayed treatments on disability leaves; and mental health in general. They’re also concerned about long-term plan sustainability due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on the cost of health benefits.

Trends and innovations

The Survey highlighted several trends and innovations. These included:

  • Health-care navigation. The advisory board predicted heightened interest in health-care system navigation as a new benefit. The board expects delays in diagnoses and treatments due to COVID-19 to contribute to this trend.
  • Increases in mental health support. More plan sponsors are decoupling mental health from other paramedical benefits to enable a separate maximum for coverage. As well, the expanded list of eligible mental health providers has increased uptake of mental health-related services.
  • Evolving disability management. The evolution of disability program management is a growing priority. This is fuelled by improved data analysis and new approaches in case management. New tools, such as virtual care and pharmacogenomic testing, are also shaping this new approach.
  • Growing use of virtual care. Virtual care, a rare offering before the pandemic, is now a standard offering of benefits plans. The advisory board predicted its availability will rival that of EAPs in the next few years.

Learn more

We encourage you to read the full Survey report. It can help you understand key areas of focus or concern for your Clients. We’ll share the Survey with plan sponsors through this Focus Update.

Questions? We’re here to help.

Please contact your Sun Life Group Benefits representative.