Digital transformation key to managing rising organisational healthcare costs in India

Mumbai, December 20, 2023 – According to a new report by leading health and benefits consultancy Mercer Marsh Benefits, a business of Marsh McLennan, non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer are currently the leading causes of medical claims in India. Employer-sponsored health insurance costs in India are expected to rise by 11% in 2024 – up from 9.6% in 2023 – marking a return to pre-pandemic levels.

Mercer Marsh Benefits’ Mercer Marsh Health Trends Report 2024, which questioned 223 insurers across 58 countries, analyses the key trends shaping the future of employer-provided healthcare globally. 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.

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.

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 is necessitating a renewed focus on balancing cost containment in the short term with the provision of high-quality benefits that support the needs on 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.”

About Mercer Marsh Benefits

Mercer Marsh Benefits provides clients with one source for managing the costs, people risks, and complexities of employee benefits. The network is a combination of Mercer and Marsh experts working across 130 countries to develop local solutions drawn from global expertise. Mercer and Marsh are businesses of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), the world’s leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people, with more than 85,000 colleagues and annual revenue of over $20 billion. Through its market-leading businesses including Guy Carpenter and Oliver Wyman, Marsh McLennan helps clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. For more information, visit marshmclennan.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

About Marsh India

Marsh India Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. is a subsidiary of Marsh McLennan. The Mercer Marsh Benefits (MMB) is the service value proposition which Marsh brings for its clients.

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