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Rebecca Madsen is chief consumer officer for UnitedHealthcare.
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As healthcare costs climb, more large employers are contracting directly with hospitals and health systems to work out prices, improve quality and steer care.
Asking difficult questions, pushing for transparency, and challenging how prices are set have helped a healthcare provider offer better coverage to its employees.
The goal is to strike a thoughtful balance that supports employees during important life events while maintaining productivity, managing costs and ensuring equitable access.
With health benefit costs expected to rise 8.2% in 2027, employers are looking for ways to control spending without simply shifting more costs to workers.
Supplemental offerings such as vision, dental, accident and life insurance provide preventive care and essential coverage when things go wrong.
