IDEA Institute: Innovations in Design, Employers in Action

We're sorry, but to function, this form requires javascript be enabled.



DRIVE TO QUALITY

EMBRACE DISRUPTION

PAY FOR VALUE

PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE

NEW APPROACHES, NEW BENEFITS

PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

The vast majority of Americans receive health and retirement benefits through workplace plans. More than 181 million individuals currently have employer-sponsored health insurance in the U.S., while nearly 135 million people participate in employer-sponsored pension and retirement plans. This is, in fact, the defining characteristic of our nation's benefit system.

But employers are more than mere intermediaries. They play a critical role on behalf of employees and their families, leveraging purchasing power, market efficiencies and plan design innovations to provide comprehensive coverage at a fraction of the cost to government compared to federal programs. Nevertheless, some policymakers subscribe to the myth that employers don't feel the need to pursue cost-efficiencies or better outcomes — that they don't innovate.

This page provides numerous examples of companies' commitment to innovative practices and strategies. The health stories are based on the paper Leading the Way , produced in partnership with Mercer [ Executive Summary | By the Numbers | Policy Recommendations ].

Interested in sharing your own story of innovation? We'd love to hear it! Please complete this form for health innovations or this form for retirement and financial wellness innovations.