Over the last few years, employers have been expanding their voluntary benefits offerings as a way to address their employees’ needs and improve overall attraction and retention efforts. While voluntary benefits have become increasingly important to employees as they deal with challenges and increased financial pressures due to record-high inflation and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, knowing what benefits to offer can be difficult.

A recent study from researchers at Harvard University and the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) suggests that consolidated health systems cost patients more money, despite providing slightly better care than private practices.