Inside HLTH 2024: The Hottest Trends Shaping the Future of Health Benefits

Stork Club Team -

If you missed HLTH 2024 in Las Vegas, don’t worry. Our Stork Club team has captured the most exciting themes and breakthrough trends that everyone’s talking about! 

A major focus for HR and Benefit buyers at the event was finding partners who can simplify their offerings by consolidating services and providing meaningful data insights that show a significant return on investment (ROI). With healthcare costs continuing to rise, there’s a clear sense of "vendor fatigue" among employers. They are no longer interested in fragmented solutions; instead, they need integrated systems that drive value, demonstrate cost savings, and offer price transparency. Employers also want solutions that help them benchmark their benefits against industry standards to remain competitive. The demand for proven cost savings, backed by strong data integrity, is stronger than ever.

We also noticed a continued emphasis on women’s health. Over the past few years, women’s health has been a hot topic for innovations and investments, and it’s evident that interest remains high. It’s encouraging to see ongoing efforts to address healthcare gaps in areas like fertility, maternity, and menopause, with a focus on creating comprehensive solutions that better serve women’s needs.

In addition, there is growing interest in all-inclusive family benefits that cover everything from conception to menopause, including men’s health and gender-affirming care. Employers are at various stages of benefit adoption, and it’s crucial to meet them where they are, providing flexible solutions that cater to their specific needs.

AI remains a focal point in healthcare, with innovations continuing to push the boundaries of efficiency and personalized care. The integration of AI is not just a trend—it’s becoming an essential component of modern healthcare, enhancing everything from diagnostics to administrative workflows.

Here are our key takeaways from HLTH 2024:

  • Consolidation and ROI: HR and Benefit buyers are focused on partnering with providers who can consolidate services and demonstrate significant cost savings and ROI through data insights.
  • Vendor Fatigue: Rising healthcare costs and fragmented solutions are pushing employers towards more integrated, value-driven systems.
  • Women’s Health: Investment and interest in women’s health remain high, with a focus on addressing gaps in fertility, maternity, and menopause care.
  • All-Inclusive Family Benefits: There is growing interest in comprehensive family benefits that cover conception to menopause, men’s health, and gender-affirming care, with a need to meet employers at various stages of benefit adoption.
  • Cost Management and Benchmarking: Employers need easy-to-implement solutions that offer clear ROI, transparency in pricing, and competitive benchmarking.

These insights highlight why events like HLTH are so important—they provide a pulse check on where the industry is headed. At Stork Club, we’re excited to see employers demanding better, more cohesive solutions, and we’re inspired by the sustained commitment to improving women’s health and family care. These conversations and trends help shape our mission to support growing families in meaningful ways.