How Unison’s Lean Approach Delivers Cost Savings and Improved Health Outcomes in Employee Benefits

It is no secret that the U.S. spends an astonishing amount on medical care. In 2023, the average health spend per person in the U.S. was $13,432, which was $3,700 more than the average spend in other similar countries, according to the KFF-Peterson Health System Tracker.

The problems facing the U.S. health system are longstanding and complex. Change is necessary to help employers control costs while continuing to deliver high-quality benefits to their employees.

However, the employee benefits landscape is noisy. From pharmacy to behavioral health, employers are constantly inundated with different solutions. Couple that with rising costs, and it is no wonder that many employers are feeling the pressure.

To navigate these challenges, employers must cut through the noise and find solutions that reduce unnecessary spending and improve health outcomes. It is this belief that inspired us to create our Labs to Lean process, a strategic approach to employee benefits that helps us deliver game-changing results to our clients.

It starts with data. Escalating healthcare costs have put employers under tremendous pressure. Medical plan costs were projected to increase by a median of eight percent in 2025, according to the most recent Segal Health Plan Cost Trend Survey. Segal also predicted a 13.3% increase in specialty drug spending, driven largely by the rising popularity of GLP-1 medications.

Our approach leverages analytics and industry trends to understand where the biggest challenges lie and how we can address them. Here are a few examples of how we create value for employers and members while mitigating risk:

• A white-glove service that provides Medicare education and enrollment assistance to members over 65 through UROne Benefits
• An emphasis on preventive screenings (early detection for diseases like cancer often leads to higher survival rates and lower costs of care)
• A holistic wellness program that focuses on the mental, physical, financial and social impact of wellness
• Websites, benefit guides and other forms of communication to engage with members, adding to the value of your health plan

Our strategy has produced impactful results. In 2024, our clients saw smaller increases in specialty drug and medical spending compared to national trends, according to data from Segal’s 2024 trend survey and the Unison Risk Advisors’ Book of Business.

With these pillars in place, our focus turns to innovation. Our team is constantly evaluating new solutions to find the best fit for our clients. Univation Labs is our incubator for experimentation. We bring together professionals from inside and outside the industry to assess emerging solutions and existing practices.

Considering factors such as quality of care, risk mitigation, cost containment and savings, we identify the best-in-class resources for our clients. From behavioral health to pharmacogenomics, we explore solutions that address the industry’s most pressing topics. We seek out the changemakers shaping the health landscape, challenging what has been done before and finding new ways to tackle the toughest problems.

The insights we gather through Univation Labs serve as the backbone of our Labs to Lean process. We leverage this knowledge to provide our clients with impactful solutions that meet their greatest areas of need.

Every organization is different. Our process centers around finding the right solutions for you. Whether that is high-touch, direct primary care services or alternative funding arrangements, our team is equipped with solutions that can support your workforce’s specific needs.

Managing your health plan expenses effectively begins with managing your health plan. Our Labs to Lean approach focuses on identifying and mitigating risk and offering solutions that add true value to your organization.

As benefits consultants, we understand the difficulties employers face in maintaining a high-quality benefits program while keeping costs under control. Our Labs to Lean process is one of many ways we work to create positive change for our clients. We can help your organization build a program that puts your needs at the forefront.