Austin & Co., Inc.

We’ve all heard about the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), but did you know many employers are now using it to manage their benefits strategy and planning? In fact, global spending on AI-powered healthcare products and services is expected to increase by 38% between 2024 and 2030. Alera Group’s 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook, highlights the latest trends in AI and how they intersect with group benefits. In addition, we share how you can incorporate AI into your own strategy and planning for the year ahead. Navigate what’s next ??https://ow.ly/ICR550Vlpc6 #employeebenefits #artificialintelligence #hrinsights #workplacetrends

Did you know you can utilize a Captive for voluntary benefits? Captives can be a more secure form of self-insurance and provide many savings advantages for employers. As voluntary benefits rise in popularity, it’s important to understand how including them in your Captive can help your organization: ?? Enhances your overall options and provides opportunities to better tailor your benefits to your employees’ needs; ?? Offers the possibility of reduced premiums for your employees; ?? Allows you to gain more control over plan design and pricing; ?? Increases your ROI. Learn how a Captive might benefit your organization ?? https://ow.ly/lHR050VkKhu #employeeexperience #humanresources #workplacehealth #benefitspackage

When was the last time you evaluated your voluntary benefits program? Voluntary benefits provide a powerful opportunity to enhance an organization’s core offerings while delivering additional layers of protection for employees. Join us at 1 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 20, as our expert speakers highlight the transformative value of voluntary benefits — from boosting financial wellbeing and driving retention to addressing the unique and evolving needs of your workforce. You’ll come away with a better understanding of how these benefits can elevate both employee satisfaction and organizational success. Register now ?? https://ow.ly/BaZ350VeYXN #humanresources #employeebenefits #benefitsadministration

How do marketplace trends impact your insurance costs? How does healthcare spending impact our gross domestic product (GDP)? What can you do to better manage your own benefits costs? In our recent Engage webinar, we answered these questions — and much more. Alera Group Director of Market Research for Employee Benefits Marcy Updike provided valuable insight into the role that current trends play in your benefits strategy. Hear her expert insights ?? https://ow.ly/qjZI50V8jew Check out Alera Group’s 2025 Market Outlook to learn more about the impacts of these trends, as well as what you can do to plan ahead. Download your copy here ?? https://ow.ly/f3jx50V8jeB #employeebenefits #humanresources #workplacehealth #hr

Voluntary benefits offer a powerful opportunity to enhance an organization’s core offerings while delivering additional layers of protection for employees. Join Alera Group for our March 2025 Engage webinar. Our expert speakers will highlight the transformative value of voluntary benefits — from boosting financial wellbeing and driving retention to addressing the unique and evolving needs of your workforce. You’ll come away from this session knowing how these benefits can elevate both employee satisfaction and organizational success. To register, click here ?? https://ow.ly/rOBI50V6YlU #humanresources #healthcare #employeeexperience #employeebenefits

Obesity, GLP-1s, and Rising Healthcare Costs: What Employers Need to Know Healthcare costs continue to climb, with obesity and specialty medications — particularly GLP-1s — significantly putting employers under financial strain. According to Alera Group’s latest research, obesity-related conditions are driving nearly half of total healthcare spending for some employers, while the demand for high-cost medications is reshaping pharmacy benefits. As costs rise, organizations must stay ahead by evaluating plan design, pharmacy benefit strategies and alternative funding solutions, such as Captive Insurance. ?? What’s driving the increase in healthcare costs? ?? How can benchmarking help employers make informed decisions? ?? What strategies can organizations implement to control costs while maintaining competitive benefits? Stay ahead of the curve. Read the full analysis here ?? https://ow.ly/lKtf50V7b4X #humanresources #healthcare #workplacehealth #employeebenefits

It’s predicted that by the year 2030, 9% of the U.S. population will utilize GLP-1 medications, often for one of the drug’s several uses: weight loss. While GLP-1s are receiving a lot of attention currently, specialty medications in general are continuing to gain popularity year over year. We dive into this topic (and much more!) in our 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook. Not only will you learn about GLP-1s and their impact on employer spending, you’ll also discover strategies and tips to apply to your own pharmacy strategy. Explore the insights ?? https://ow.ly/uys650UYR8g #hrinsights #workplacehealth #humanresources #healthcare

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) includes a provision that requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to report certain specified data related to prescription drug and other healthcare spending. The deadline to submit reporting for calendar year 2024 is June 1, 2025 (and continues each June 1 thereafter). Learn more ??https://ow.ly/aFZT50UWPGb #humanresources #employers #hrnews #employeebenefits

February marks the start of Black History Month, a time to celebrate, reflect on and recognize the incredible contributions Black leaders, innovators, and changemakers have made throughout history — and continue to make today. From breaking barriers to shaping industries, their impact is felt across communities, businesses and beyond. As we honor the past, we also recognize the present and future contributions that drive progress and inspire change. We reflect on the legacy, resilience and achievements that have shaped our world.

It’s no surprise that overall healthcare costs continue to rise at a rapid rate. There are many reasons why this is happening, including the impact of inflation on health insurance, overall labor and retention costs and an aging population. During a recent Engage webinar, one of our employee benefits experts, Chris DeLorey, provided insight into what large-group employees can expect regarding increases to medical plan costs in the coming year. Learn more about what you can do to manage your own costs: ?? Watch our January 2025 Engage webinar ?? https://ow.ly/oQjs50UQqRz ?? Download the 2025 Market Outlook ?? https://ow.ly/bGPA50UQqRA #healthcare #employeeexperience #employeebenefits #humanresources