From rising healthcare costs to evolving employee expectations, the benefits landscape is changing fast. Employers are being challenged to rethink how they support prevention, affordability and overall well-being, while still delivering a strong member experience.

In our latest whitepaper, we examine the healthcare trends driving this transformation. Below is a snapshot of what employers need to know.

What’s ahead for healthcare in 2026 progression 

The healthcare landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Rising costs, shifting workforce expectations and broader definitions of wellness are pushing employers to rethink how benefits support both employee health and business performance._^¹

Looking at 2026, several key trends are shaping the future of healthcare and employee benefits. 

At the center of these shifts is a growing focus on:

• prevention
• affordability
• experience
• holistic well-being

These are priorities that can help employers create benefits strategies with lasting value.¹

Preventive care is taking center stage

Healthcare claims remain one of the largest drivers of benefit costs for employers, with chronic conditions accounting for a significant share. Many of these conditions can be mitigated through earlier detection and preventive care.¹

Comprehensive eye exams are emerging as an important part of this effort. Beyond assessing vision, eye exams can detect early signs of more than 270 chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and certain cancers.² As fewer Americans visit primary care providers regularly, vision care is becoming an increasingly valuable front line of prevention. Recent surveys found that while 62% of Americans had their vision checked in the last year,³ only 34% visited a primary care provider.⁴

Affordability matters

With medical inflation on the rise, affordability remains a top concern across the benefits landscape. But reducing or eliminating benefits isn’t a sustainable long-term solution. Employees view health benefits as essential, and many say they would choose better benefits over higher pay when making career decisions.⁵

Vision benefits offer an opportunity to balance cost control with employee value. Healthy vision supports productivity, reduces headaches and eye strain, and helps employees stay focused at work.⁶ When benefits are affordable and easy to use, employees are more likely to engage with them, maximizing their impact.

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Member experience is now a differentiator

Today’s employees expect benefits to be transparent  and aligned with their digital lifestyles. Convenience, choice, and easy-to-use tools are no longer optional, especially for younger generations entering the workforce.⁷

When benefits are simple to understand and easy to navigate, employees are more likely to use them. Digital tools that help members find providers and estimate costs reduce confusion and improve engagement, leading to better outcomes for both employees and employers.⁸

Holistic health is redefining wellness

Wellness today extends far beyond physical health. Mental, emotional and social well-being are now recognized as essential components of overall health. Vision plays a meaningful role in all of them.⁹

Poor vision has been linked to increased anxiety, social isolation, headaches and reduced productivity. Adults with vision loss are more likely to experience anxiety or depression, underscoring the connection between eye health and mental well-being.⁹ In addition, rising screen time is contributing to digital eye strain and fatigue for millions of working-age adults, which affects both well-being and performance.¹⁰

Looking ahead

Healthcare in 2026 will be defined by smarter prevention, meaningful value and a member-focused experience. Employers can build strategies that support both people and performance by prioritizing preventive care, affordability, experience improvement and embracing a holistic view of health.

Want to learn more about EyeMed vision benefits or request a quote? Speak with your EyeMed rep. Or visit, eyemed.com. 

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1. “Thriving workplaces: How employers can improve productivity and change lives”; McKinsey Health Institute; mckinsey.com; January 16, 2025.
2. “Updated Clinical Guideline Reinforces Importance of Annual Eye Exams, Comprehensive Eye Care with Doctors of Optometry”; American Optometric Association; aoa.org; March 8, 2023.
3. “The Vision Council Releases New Research Spotlighting Q2 Consumer Trends and Generational Differences”; The Vision Council; thevisioncouncil.org; July 25, 2024.
4. “34% of Americans have visited a primary care provider in the last year” Becker’s Physician Leadership; beckersphysicianleadership.com; August 25, 2023.
5. “New Voya research finds three-quarters of working Americans prioritize health benefits over higher salaries”; Voya; voya.com; September 17, 2024.
6. “Seeing the benefits: Why employers should offer vision insurance”; Corridor Business Journal; corridorbusiness.com; May 5, 2023.
7. “2025 Global Benefits Trends Study”; Aon; aon.com; July 2025.
8. “Employer Benefits Perspective Survey”; PwC; pwc.com; 2023.
9. “About vision loss and mental health”; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; cdc.gov; May 2024.