The study aimed to uncover how cost pressures, digital transformation, and trust dynamics are reshaping the healthcare financial experience for payers, employers and members. By engaging these stakeholders, the research delivers actionable insights to improve member satisfaction, strengthen employer engagement strategies and guide health plan innovation. These findings support a broader healthcare engagement strategy focused on delivering more personalized, transparent and digitally connected experiences.

We surveyed 202 health insurance executives, 839 employer benefits leaders and 1,226 insured consumers to capture a full view of the U.S. healthcare market. From commercial plans to Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid, their perspectives reveal how consumer behavior in healthcare is evolving — and how payers and employers are responding. The data highlights emerging member engagement models, employer engagement strategies and opportunities to improve the digital healthcare experience.

Insights were gathered through targeted surveys and qualitative interviews. Each stakeholder group shared perspectives on cost management, price transparency and the digital member experience. Select payer organizations also participated in in-depth interviews to enrich understanding of health plan, employer and member engagement services.

Statistical significance was tested at the 90% or 95% confidence level, depending on sample size. This ensures findings are robust, representative and actionable — supporting strategic decisions across employer engagement, health plan design and member satisfaction.

By combining quantitative survey data with qualitative interviews and expert analysis from Datos Insights, the methodology offers a comprehensive view of the financial realities in healthcare. It reflects both the scale and complexity of today’s market and supports the development of balanced payer strategies, employer engagement models and member experience platforms.

The insights will inform a series of six reports, each focused on a key stakeholder group or theme. These reports are designed to help payers lead through disruption by enhancing health plan, employer and member engagement strategies; improving consumer satisfaction and delivering more connected, transparent healthcare experiences.