Healthcare industry trends we're seeing in 2025

As we enter Spring 2025, healthcare industry trends continue to take shape. In 2025, several game-changing trends are reshaping how employers, benefits managers, and healthcare providers approach care. 

The past few years have shown us that flexibility and accessibility in healthcare are no longer optional—they're essential. Telehealth, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, remains a cornerstone of modern healthcare, while innovative tools like AI are starting to enhance its effectiveness. Mental health and employee wellness are also taking center stage, with employers expanding benefits to improve retention and overall well-being. What’s more, alternative wellness treatments and integrative care models are gaining traction as more individuals seek holistic approaches to health. 

As healthcare becomes more patient-centered, value-based care is gradually replacing the traditional fee-for-service model, focusing on improving quality while reducing costs. Finally, Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) are rapidly growing, providing employees with more flexible and cost-effective coverage options. In this post, we explore the key healthcare industry trends for 2025 that will impact providers and organizations, offering practical insights into how these changes can improve outcomes and control costs.

Telehealth 2.0

Telehealth was a necessity in the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-COVID, the alternative to in-office visits has become a regularity. Since the pandemic, telehealth has increased 38x compared to pre-pandemic times, according to a study by McKinsey.

While telehealth isn’t as popular as it was during the pandemic, its stabilization suggests that while some patients have returned to the office for check-ups, many prefer the convenience of appointments at home or on the go. Both physicians and patients are more willing to use telehealth than before the pandemic, and healthcare providers are spending more on their telehealth tech than ever before. Additionally, telehealth has the potential to provide more affordable and comprehensive care to underserved or rural areas where it's harder to see a specialist in person.

Beyond a general acceptance of telehealth comes the potential to integrate technology into online care. As healthcare providers integrate telehealth into systems, we can expect them to adopt the biggest buzzword in tech: AI. 

While AI can’t replace medical professionals, there’s an opportunity to use it to aid doctors early on in the process, such as through telehealth consultations, diagnostics, and treatment recommendations.

One of the healthcare industry trends we can expect to see growth in in 2025 is the telehealth space, including tools like AI. 

A holistic approach to employee mental health and wellness

We’re in the midst of a mental health epidemic. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 American adults experiences mental illness each year. Both employers and employees are prioritizing mental health and access to wellness. 

With employee wellness and retention in mind, expect to see employers boosting their mental health and wellness benefits to meet the needs of employees. This includes access to therapy, digital mental health tools, and office mindfulness programs. 

In addition to expanded mental health benefits, there’s likely to be a shift towards integrated wellness programs in 2025. These office-sponsored programs could be elements that benefit both the mind and body of employees. For example, more companies may offer stress management programs for employees during the workday or reimbursement for self-improvement tools like Headspace or fitness trackers like Aura. 

These initiatives likely fall on the shoulders of benefits managers. A focus on overall employee well-being has a proven track record in boosting everything from productivity to retention and recruitment. 

According to Gallup, 59% of workers in the U.S. express that “having greater work-life balance and better personal wellbeing is very important to them when considering whether to take a job with a different organization.”

Prioritizing employee mental health and wellness can help retain and attract new employees. It’s highly valued by most of the workforce, making it an essential trend for workplaces to address. 

Alternative wellness treatments and integrative care

Alternative wellness treatments, including acupuncture, meditation, and cryotherapy, are on the rise. According to a study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the number of people using complementary health approaches grew from 19.2% in 2002 to 36.7% in 2022. This trend aligns with industry insights from the Global Wellness Institute, which projects the wellness economy will grow at a rate of 7.3% annually through 2028, significantly outpacing the expected global GDP growth rate (3.3% annually, according to January 2025 IMF forecasts)..

Integrative care that combines conventional and alternative medicine is becoming more mainstream. Some healthcare providers will even cover alternative wellness services. Healthcare providers and employers are becoming aware that a holistic approach to chronic illness management can improve outcomes and patient satisfaction overall.  

In 2025, we can expect healthcare plans to include coverage for alternative healthcare treatments and more employers offering wellness stipends for holistic care.

While adopting these programs might seem like a stretch, there’s potential to reduce the cost of care overall with these treatments by addressing the root causes of chronic conditions and promoting preventive care.

Value-based care: Shifting toward patient-centered care

According to the American Medical Association:

“Value-based care arrangements tie payment amounts for services provided to patients to the results that are delivered, such as the quality, equity and cost of care. By aligning incentives and payment, this approach can potentially result in more evidence-based, preventive and equitable whole-person care.”

To put it simply, value-based care focuses on improving the quality of care while reducing costs. Instead of a fee-for-service model, where medical professionals and hospitals are paid for each service they administer, whether it be a test or office visit, value-based healthcare rewards providers for helping patients stay healthier overall, avoiding unnecessary treatments and tests. 

The shift toward value-based care comes with significant growth; McKinsey estimates the valuation of the values-based care market to top $1 trillion within the next few years.   

While value-based care is rising, one of its biggest hurdles is data sharing and care collaboration. The model requires communication between providers, patients, and even benefits managers to ensure improved care overall.  

Growth of ICHRA

The adoption of ICHRAs is on the rise. In the past few years, ICHRAs have exploded in popularity. The adoption of ICHRAs grew 29% between 2023 and 2024. What’s more, 89% of employers who are aware of ICHRAs are considering offering them to employees within the next three years.   

As awareness of ICHRAs increases, so too does adoption. This may be due in part to the rising costs of healthcare and ICHRA’s ability to provide flexible, cost-effective coverage. By maximizing employees’ control over their healthcare coverage, an ICHRA can also boost worker satisfaction and retention.  

If your team is ready to dive headfirst into 2025 healthcare trends, try Thatch for all your ICHRAs needs. With Thatch, simply set an allowance limit and you’re ready to offer flexible healthcare for your employees.