PYMNTS.com · 19 Oct, 08:03 · Healthcare briefing

Why Insured Workers Still Skip Healthcare

Recent analysis indicates that a significant portion of insured employees in the United States are opting not to utilise their health insurance coverage.

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13%projected growth in health services roles this decade

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Recent analysis indicates that a significant portion of insured employees in the United States are opting not to utilise their health insurance coverage. This trend persists despite having active policies, suggesting that financial barriers such as high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs remain prohibitive for many workers. The data highlights a disconnect between insurance availability and actual healthcare utilisation, pointing towards systemic issues in benefit design rather than a lack of access. This phenomenon raises questions about the sustainability of current employer-sponsored health models and the long-term implications for workforce wellbeing and productivity.

Employer demand for Human Resources skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must recognise that workforce wellbeing is now a critical strategic priority. As companies grapple with low healthcare utilisation, they will increasingly value professionals who can design sustainable, cost-effective benefit structures. If you work in Human Resources or organisational development, you should focus on understanding health economics and employee engagement strategies. Smart professionals will upskill in data analytics to interpret utilisation trends and advocate for holistic wellbeing programmes. Consider specialising in benefits administration or occupational health to help employers bridge the gap between coverage and actual care. This shift demands a proactive approach to talent retention, positioning you as an essential advisor in navigating complex health policy landscapes.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Human Resources, Healthcare Management, Occupational Health And Safety and Healthcare Data Analytics — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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