New Survey Reveals Disparities in Cancer Care Benefits Amid Rising Diagnosis Rates
In recent findings released by Color Health, a significant disparity has emerged between the rising cancer rates among working-age individuals and the inadequacies in employer-provided cancer care benefits. This revelation comes from the fifth annual survey conducted by The Harris Poll, shedding light on how HR leaders are navigating the intricacies of cancer program benefits. More than 2 million Americans are anticipated to be diagnosed with cancer this year, as per the American Cancer Society’s projections, indicating a pressing challenge for employers and the broader healthcare landscape.
The survey results indicate that employers are conscious of the growing need for comprehensive cancer care programs; however, most are still largely focused on treatment and management. As healthcare costs are projected to increase by 8% this year—the largest jump in a decade—companies must be aware of how these rising cancer rates may affect their workforce and overall business health. Despite this, 88% of benefits leaders recognized the necessity for greater investment in prevention and early detection initiatives—an insight echoed through their 2024 responses. Yet, the paradox remains: while awareness thrives, only a fraction has made moves to enhance their offerings.
In fact, the survey uncovered that while 91% of benefits leaders agree on prioritizing early detection and survivorship support alongside active cancer management, just 43% have implemented comprehensive cancer benefits aimed at reducing costs. This reflects a severe gap between perceived needs and practical solutions in cancer care programming.
Areas highlighted for improvement include providing key cancer care benefits that extend beyond what’s traditionally offered through health plans. For instance, about three in four benefits leaders express the need for expanding cancer offerings, yet only a small fraction actively pursue these expansions, typically opting for singular solutions like survivorship support or genetic testing.
The most urgent needs cited by benefits leaders were related to cancer screening and early detection, which 73% deemed paramount, alongside treatment center networks (67%) and cancer risk assessments (66%). Alarmingly, there has been no significant improvement in the perception of health plans’ effectiveness in managing cancer screenings; nearly three-quarters of respondents maintained that their health plans are not doing enough to get employees screened.
As they face this challenge, it was also revealed that mental and emotional health issues significantly concern benefits leaders. Interestingly though, while 93% acknowledged the necessity for more investment in supporting cancer survivors transitioning back to health post-treatment, only one in three companies had established dedicated survivorship programs by 2024. This gap emphasizes a crucial point: while addressing immediate treatment needs is indispensable, the long-term journey of cancer survivors requires just as much attention.
Color Health's Chief Revenue Officer, Josh Sturm, emphasized that recognizing cancer as a pressing issue within the workforce mirrors the growing concern that employers must address. He stated, "Benefits leaders need help bridging the gap between awareness and the implementation of comprehensive cancer programs. At Color, we focus solely on cancer care, offering a Virtual Cancer Clinic designed to support team members across all states."
As we move forward into a time of rising cancer rates amidst burgeoning healthcare costs, it is vital for organizations to re-evaluate their cancer care offerings—not just in treatment, but with a lens toward prevention, early diagnosis, and support for those on the road to recovery. The results from Color Health’s survey offer a critical opportunity for companies to pivot their approaches and genuinely align their benefits with the evolving landscape of employee health. The complete report from Color Health elucidates further details on these findings and insights on necessary steps for employers.
For more information, businesses and employers can access Color Health’s Employer Insights Report to understand the practical implications and strategic recommendations for enhancing cancer care benefits. In doing so, organizations can not only improve health outcomes for their employees but also mitigate escalating costs associated with inadequate cancer care strategies.
The survey results indicate that employers are conscious of the growing need for comprehensive cancer care programs; however, most are still largely focused on treatment and management. As healthcare costs are projected to increase by 8% this year—the largest jump in a decade—companies must be aware of how these rising cancer rates may affect their workforce and overall business health. Despite this, 88% of benefits leaders recognized the necessity for greater investment in prevention and early detection initiatives—an insight echoed through their 2024 responses. Yet, the paradox remains: while awareness thrives, only a fraction has made moves to enhance their offerings.
In fact, the survey uncovered that while 91% of benefits leaders agree on prioritizing early detection and survivorship support alongside active cancer management, just 43% have implemented comprehensive cancer benefits aimed at reducing costs. This reflects a severe gap between perceived needs and practical solutions in cancer care programming.
Areas highlighted for improvement include providing key cancer care benefits that extend beyond what’s traditionally offered through health plans. For instance, about three in four benefits leaders express the need for expanding cancer offerings, yet only a small fraction actively pursue these expansions, typically opting for singular solutions like survivorship support or genetic testing.
The most urgent needs cited by benefits leaders were related to cancer screening and early detection, which 73% deemed paramount, alongside treatment center networks (67%) and cancer risk assessments (66%). Alarmingly, there has been no significant improvement in the perception of health plans’ effectiveness in managing cancer screenings; nearly three-quarters of respondents maintained that their health plans are not doing enough to get employees screened.
As they face this challenge, it was also revealed that mental and emotional health issues significantly concern benefits leaders. Interestingly though, while 93% acknowledged the necessity for more investment in supporting cancer survivors transitioning back to health post-treatment, only one in three companies had established dedicated survivorship programs by 2024. This gap emphasizes a crucial point: while addressing immediate treatment needs is indispensable, the long-term journey of cancer survivors requires just as much attention.
Color Health's Chief Revenue Officer, Josh Sturm, emphasized that recognizing cancer as a pressing issue within the workforce mirrors the growing concern that employers must address. He stated, "Benefits leaders need help bridging the gap between awareness and the implementation of comprehensive cancer programs. At Color, we focus solely on cancer care, offering a Virtual Cancer Clinic designed to support team members across all states."
As we move forward into a time of rising cancer rates amidst burgeoning healthcare costs, it is vital for organizations to re-evaluate their cancer care offerings—not just in treatment, but with a lens toward prevention, early diagnosis, and support for those on the road to recovery. The results from Color Health’s survey offer a critical opportunity for companies to pivot their approaches and genuinely align their benefits with the evolving landscape of employee health. The complete report from Color Health elucidates further details on these findings and insights on necessary steps for employers.
For more information, businesses and employers can access Color Health’s Employer Insights Report to understand the practical implications and strategic recommendations for enhancing cancer care benefits. In doing so, organizations can not only improve health outcomes for their employees but also mitigate escalating costs associated with inadequate cancer care strategies.
Topics Health）
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