Results show employers are looking for opportunities to provide more health care options for women to address unmet needs and to retain employees

CVS Health is well-positioned to help employers address gaps in care

A 2024 new study commissioned by CVS Health® and conducted by Forrester Consulting, Employers Evolve Health Benefits For Working Women, surveyed more than 300 health benefits decision makers at employers nationwide and identified employer sentiment on women’s health benefits. The study revealed that companies are reimagining women’s health benefits to better help their employees on their health and wellness journeys. While awareness is growing, gaps in care exist. With women comprising more than half* of the U.S. labor force, comprehensive women’s health benefits have become a critical factor in attracting and keeping women in the workforce.

Study reveals insights on the state of women’s health in the workplace

• Nearly seventy percent (69%) of benefits decision makers recognize the importance of providing comprehensive health benefits that specifically target women to attract and retain top talent. They are looking for more data, health care and benefit experts to help them shape resources where there are gaps in offerings.
• Seventy-five percent of respondents plan to increase access to health care services via telehealth, geographically accessible clinics and prescription delivery. Seventy-four percent want to better support employee wellness and well-being.
• From ages 45 to 64, health care spending for women is 21% higher than for men*. While pregnancy drives cost for women, many other costs are not appreciated. For example, costly conditions like autoimmune diseases and metabolic conditions are predominantly experienced by women, meaning the cost of care also affects women the most.

• Mental health is a high priority for employers with nearly half of respondents (46%) offering mental/behavioral health services beyond minimum federal requirements.
• As women reach menopause, the risk of heart disease, breast cancer and osteoporosis increases substantially. Seventy-five percent of organizations surveyed have high confidence in their menopause benefits, with 26% offering a midlife care program to specifically address menopause symptoms.
• Eighty percent of benefits decision makers want to work with culturally competent partners that fully understand the diverse cultural norms and expectations of women employees.
  
  

“Employers play a crucial role in supporting women’s health care needs and addressing gaps in health care,” said Dr. Joanne Armstrong, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Women’s Health and Genomics, CVS Health. “By offering comprehensive and holistic health care benefits that consider the unique social and economic conditions of women, employers can actively support women’s health at every stage of their lives.”

Understanding the evolving health care needs of women

As the population of women in the workforce continues to grow and evolve to include more older women*, employers will need to provide comprehensive benefits that address the needs of women throughout their health journeys. These health care needs may include conditions specific to women (like pregnancy or menopause), as well as conditions that affect women differently or more often (such as mental health issues, cardiovascular disease and diabetes).

CVS Health offers comprehensive women’s health resources that support employers in offering health care benefits that are evidence-based and responsive to women’s health care needs throughout their lives. CVS Health is fostering women’s health in many ways, including:

• Helping employees overcome barriers to quality care
  Women often face distinct challenges* when accessing health care such as logistical and financial challenges, as well as a lack of specialized provider training. Employers need to ensure employees can overcome these barriers through convenient care options, specialized providers across life stages and navigation support.
  
  Aetna®, a CVS Health business, has one of the largest nationwide provider networks that includes high-quality providers, enhanced training in women’s physical and mental health conditions and navigation tools to help employees receive higher quality care when and where they need it most.
  
  
• Offering the right benefits for unique clinical needs and cost drivers
  Aetna works with employers to create benefits that are customizable to a workforce’s clinical needs, cost drivers and preferences. Plan designs anticipate changing health trends and regulations and infuses clinical expertise into benefits.
  
  
• Identifying and empowering employees with the right resources
  Women experience certain conditions disproportionately and differently than men do. They also experience sex-specific conditions like endometriosis and menopause. Aetna utilizes extensive data to understand each plan sponsor’s health trends and to create a holistic view of each member. It uses advanced claims-based analytics combined with personalized next best actions communications and resources to address women’s health issues and empower them to live healthier.
  
  
• Providing enhanced support for specific health stages and conditions
  CVS Health provides programs that create an enhanced patient experience for women at every stage in their health journeys. This includes low-cost, virtual and in-person treatment for a variety of women’s health conditions and mental health services throughMinuteClinic®.
  
  CVS Health also offers personalized mental well-being support through Resources for Living, which serves as an advocate for members and helps put them on a healthy path.