Employee Wellness News & Insights

Open enrollment prep, strategies for surviving rising costs, new legislation, and more!

Times are changing for employee benefits—that’s the biggest takeaway from the wellness news we perused last month.

From the One Big Beautiful Bill Act altering the rules on certain health spending accounts to companies adopting more proactive measures to combat rising costs, there are a number of new shifts to be aware of. Dive into each of them in our October wellness roundup.

Trending Topics & News

Job Hugging: 6 Ways It Will Affect Your Workplace

Gone (well, mostly gone) are the days of job hopping from one position to the next to gain pay bumps in rapid succession. With salary growth stalling and hiring slowing, more employees are practicing what’s become known as “job hugging”—staying put in their current position to take advantage of the stability amidst economic uncertainty. For employers, job hugging is an opportunity to take advantage of low turnover and invest in employee development. Read on for six ways to capitalize on the trend.

Read the full HR Morning article here >>

A new era for workplace benefits: Gen Z demands more

Members of Gen Z (sometimes called Zoomers) now outnumber Baby Boomers in the U.S. workforce, and they’re flexing their muscle to demand more and better benefits. That’s the finding of an expansive report from consulting firm EY out this month. This generational group views benefits tied to wellness, flexibility, and financial security not as nice-to-haves, but must-haves when considering an employer. Other benefits like emergency savings programs are climbing in demand. Get the scoop on what the youngest cohort of the workforce expects in the full article.

Read the full Insurance News Net article here >>

Benefits & Compensation

4 New Ways OBBBA Will Reshape Employee Benefits

Most of the media coverage of OBBBA–the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act–has focused on its implications for tax deductions and overtime pay. What’s gotten less buzz, however, is how the bill will impact employee benefits. This article breaks down what to know about OBBBA when it comes to HSAs, dependent care FSAs, new tax advantaged accounts for employees’ children, and more. It’s key information to keep in mind as you finalize your 2026 benefits budget.

Read the full HR Morning article here >>

Benefit leaders may be creating obstacles to mental health support

Despite an increased focus on mental health in recent years, challenges persist for employees trying to actually use the benefits their employer offers. Turns out, it’s not just what you cover, but how your benefits are designed that impacts access to mental health support. Discover the most common hurdles employees face in getting mental health services and gain strategies to improve the usability of your benefits.

Read the full Employee Benefit News article here >>

Healthcare & Insurance

Health benefit cost increases expected to hit 15-year high, Mercer warns

Last month we told you about the steep increase to employer healthcare costs projected for 2026. Now, we’re getting a better understanding of what’s driving the spike. Rising prices are a major factor, but it’s not the only one. Utilization, which explains the types of services employees are using and how they’re using them, is playing a role in pushing costs upward. Check out the full article for ideas on how restructuring benefits and vendor agreements could affect your expenses.

Read the full HR Dive article here >>

5 steps to bolster outcomes this open enrollment

Every benefit manager’s (least?) favorite season is upon us: open enrollment. While many view it as a period of extra work, this article suggests treating open enrollment as a strategic campaign to improve employee health outcomes.Think better early detection of chronic conditions and more productive conversations surrounding wellness. Click through for a five-step framework to make the most of this season.

Read the full Employee Benefit News article here >>

Industry Conversations & Voices

What Doctors Wish Employers Would Do To Improve Employee Health

Ever wish you had an on-call doctor who could come in and give your team a serious talking-to about their health? If you did, here’s what the doc would say: “tackle employee stress.” This means providing more behavioral health support. Keep reading for more recommendations from the experts.

Read the full SHRM article here >>

Look to proactive care for savings in a high-cost healthcare future, Deloitte says

Consulting giant Deloitte says employers may need to embrace a “very different” benefits strategy to move forward in a high-cost healthcare future. The firm says an increased focus on proactive measures, like early intervention and predictive analytics, could deliver cost savings in the billions over the next several decades. Get the full financial picture as well as some new approaches to consider in the article below.

Read the full HR Dive article here >>

Latest From Agile Telehealth

How to Start a Workplace Weight Loss Program

Helping employees reach a healthier weight has benefits for both workers and employers, including stronger performance, higher engagement, and better financial outcomes. We outline 14 steps to help you plan, execute, and assess a workplace weight loss program in your organization.

Read the full Agile Telehealth article here >>

What Sleep Apnea is Really Costing Your Truck Drivers

For truck drivers and their employers, sleep apnea brings bigger threats than low-quality sleep. It can impair judgement, slow reaction times, and put lives at risk. Learn more about your company’s liability and what you can do to support drivers with sleep conditions.