In today's challenging economic climate, businesses face a stark reality: healthcare costs are projected to rise by a staggering 9% in 2026. With employers scrambling to balance budgets while supporting their workforce, innovative solutions like Expensage's Employee Health Plan (EHP) are becoming mission-critical rather than optional.

The Perfect Storm: Rising Costs and Increasing Needs

The healthcare landscape has reached a critical inflection point. Employers are battling the highest health benefit cost increases in 15 years, driven by multiple factors:

• Mental health needs continue to surge, with employers prioritizing accessibility as their third-highest healthcare strategy
• Pharmacy costs are skyrocketing, with projected increases of 11-12% heading into 2026
• Specialty medications like GLP-1 drugs for weight management are creating significant budget pressures
• Preventative care delays during the pandemic have resulted in later-stage diagnoses and higher treatment costs

As Ellen Kelsay, President and CEO of Business Group on Health, explains: "For many years, we've seen the healthcare industry grapple with rising costs, in part because of unit cost, in part because of volume of services, and in part because of the delivery system and infrastructure challenges."

The Ethical Question Every Executive Should Consider

With these challenges in mind, business leaders face a profound question: If you could provide comprehensive preventative care, mental health support, and enhanced benefits to your employees at net-zero cost, wouldn't that be the only ethical choice?

This isn't hypothetical—it's precisely what Expensage's EHP delivers.

The Expensage EHP Advantage: Comprehensive Care Without the Cost

Expensage's Employee Health Plan represents a paradigm shift in how businesses approach employee healthcare. Unlike traditional benefit additions that strain budgets, EHP is a self-insured medical expense reimbursement program (SIMERP) that delivers substantial benefits while generating FICA tax savings for employers.

Key Benefits That Transform Employee Wellbeing:

1. Comprehensive Mental Health Support - At a time when access to mental healthcare is a top priority for 67% of large employers, EHP offers 24/7 access to master's level clinicians, streamlined appointment scheduling, and a dedicated mental fitness app.

2. Primary & Urgent Care Coverage - Members enjoy nationwide access to board-certified physicians with no out-of-pocket costs, eliminating barriers to essential preventative care.

3. Innovative Pharmacy Solutions - With over 1,000 maintenance medications and 70+ acute medications available at no cost to employees, EHP directly addresses one of the fastest-growing expense categories in healthcare.

4. Weight Health Management - As employers struggle with the rising costs of GLP-1 drugs for weight management, EHP offers physician-supervised weight loss programs at competitive pricing, creating cost-effective alternatives.

The Numbers That Matter: Real Savings, Real Impact

The financial impact of EHP speaks for itself: - Employers save an average of $639.96 per employee annually - Employees maintain their take-home pay while gaining enhanced benefits - The program typically yields a 7.65% reduction in FICA tax obligations

A medium-sized business with 100 employees could recover nearly $64,000 annually—funds that can be redirected to growth initiatives, additional benefits, or improving the bottom line.

IRS-Compliant, Audit-Ready, and Ethically Sound

Unlike questionable cost-cutting measures that shift burden to employees, EHP is built on solid regulatory ground:

• Fully compliant with IRC Sections 105, 125, and 213(d)
• Audit-ready documentation and implementation
• Transparent program structure backed by legal expertise
• Designed as a participatory program under the Affordable Care Act

The Implementation Reality: Minimal Effort, Maximum Impact

The EHP onboarding process has been streamlined to require minimal employer involvement: 1. A discovery call to understand your specific needs 2. Census collection and proposal development 3. Program launch with dedicated support 4. Employee enrollment with comprehensive education 5. Ongoing service and support

With 85-90% employee participation rates, the program delivers exceptional engagement while requiring minimal administrative oversight.

The Ethical Imperative: Why Wait?

In a business environment where cost-cutting often means benefit reduction, EHP stands apart as a solution that truly serves everyone's interests. Employees gain access to comprehensive care that improves their health and wellbeing. Employers reduce costs while enhancing their ability to attract and retain talent.

The question isn't whether you can afford to implement EHP—it's whether you can afford not to.

Visit https://expensage.com/ehp to discover how your organization can join the growing number of businesses that have transformed their approach to employee healthcare while uncovering substantial savings.

Expensage: Uncovering Hidden Savings. Maximizing Growth.