Five Healthcare Trends to Watch in 2021

The pandemic has accelerated dramatic changes in health care and well-being in 2020 and will continue to do so in 2021, according to the Business Group on Health. They outline these five trends:

Alternative Payment & Delivery — The pandemic has momentarily slowed the expansion of alternative payment and delivery models. But a redoubling of efforts in 2021 will drive improvements in quality and value. The pandemic has changed health care delivery, such as moving lower acuity care out of the hospital to free up beds for patients with COVID-19 and other serious conditions. 

Virtual Care — Virtual care, which exploded in 2020, will continue to grow in 2021. Telehealth platforms and providers will have expanded virtual options and improved availability including weight management, care management for chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, prenatal care, and musculoskeletal care management/physical therapy. 

There will be more attention on evaluating quality, outcomes, effectiveness, patient experience, and the cost of virtual care options and innovations, as well as virtual vs. in-person care for specific services.

Integration of EAPs and Mental Health Benefits — In 2021, novel approaches will place mental health on par with other medical conditions including virtual counseling and the integration of EAPs and mental health benefits. Employers are focusing more on employee stress and anxiety, loneliness, addiction, depression, and other serious mental illness — in large part because of the pandemic. 

The Well-being Needs of a Changing Workforce — In 2021, employers will continue to demonstrate flexibility through leave, remote work, and other benefits. Employees’ well-being needs have shifted due to the pandemic, the economy, and the expectations of younger workers. For instance, those living alone may struggle with social connection while parents and caregivers may have difficulty creating a work/life balance. 

Health Equity Gaps — In 2021, providers, suppliers, and payers will boost efforts to address health equity while mitigating the harmful effects of social determinants of health. The pandemic has magnified disparities in health care as a result of race, ethnicity, and geography. These gaps result in differences in health conditions and outcomes, emotional well-being, and mortality. 
 
For more information, visit www.businessgrouphealth.org.