The Benefits Brief | Q3 2026
The third quarter of 2026 brought new insights, resources, and important benefits updates as employers prepare for open enrollment and the year ahead.
From new research into what employers and healthcare consumers want to important HSA changes, real-world benefits strategies, and resources for open enrollment, we’re focused on giving you the information and tools you need to make benefits easier to manage and easier for employees to understand.
The 2026 Benchmark Reports: What Employers and Employees Really Want
What are employers looking for in their healthcare strategies, and what do employees want from their benefits?
Ameriflex and our sister company, Accresa, surveyed both sides of the benefits experience to find out. Accresa surveyed more than 500 employers about their healthcare strategies, while Ameriflex gathered insights directly from healthcare consumers about their experiences, priorities, and interest in new ways to access care.
The result is two companion reports: the Accresa 2026 Subscription Care Benchmark Report and the Ameriflex 2026 Healthcare Consumer Benchmark Report. Together, they explore trends around subscription-based care, Direct Primary Care, virtual care, healthcare navigation, mental health support, affordability, and more.
Key Findings
- Employers are prioritizing solutions that improve access to care, simplify navigation, and enhance the employee experience.
- More than 80% of healthcare consumers expressed interest in subscription-based healthcare.
- Healthcare navigation and virtual care continue to emerge as important tools for helping employees access quality, cost-effective care.
- Mental health remains a priority, while many employers report limited familiarity with Mental Health Parity requirements.
New Case Study: Benefits in Action
This quarter, we also released a new case study highlighting how a thoughtful benefits strategy can make a measurable difference.
For the past nine years, Ameriflex has taken a different approach to its own employee healthcare through the Ameriflex Health Plan (AHP), a self-insured plan built around three key pillars: Direct Primary Care (DPC), intentional pharmacy management, and transparent cash-pay pricing.
The case study explores how this triple-pillar strategy has helped Ameriflex control healthcare costs while improving access to care for employees and their families.
In 2025, Ameriflex’s annual healthcare cost was $10,535 per employee, 40% below the national average of $17,496. Over nine years, the company also maintained a relatively flat cost curve while national healthcare costs continued to rise.
HSA Changes: Preparing for 2027
Recent legislative changes are expanding how Health Savings Accounts can be used and creating new opportunities for employers and employees.
Among the changes, Bronze and Catastrophic health plans will become HSA-compatible, and certain Direct Primary Care arrangements can be paired with an HSA, giving employers more flexibility when designing their benefits strategies.
We broke down these changes and what they mean for employers, brokers, and HSA participants during our recent HSA webinar.
As you prepare for 2027, now is a great time to understand the changes and consider how they may impact your benefits strategy.
Open Enrollment Resources: We’re Here to Help
Open enrollment is one of the busiest times of year for employers, and Ameriflex has resources to make communicating benefits easier.
Our Open Enrollment Center includes ready-to-use presentations, benefit book inserts, educational videos, templates, printable flyers, and other resources designed to help employees understand and use their benefits.
Whether you need help explaining an FSA, HSA, HRA, or other benefit, you don’t have to start from scratch.
CHOICE Accounts, Previously ICHRA: More Flexibility for Your Benefits Strategy
Interest in CHOICE Accounts, formerly known as Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs), continues to grow as employers explore more flexible alternatives to traditional group health plans.
Ameriflex helps make CHOICE accounts easier to implement and administer, with solutions designed to simplify premium payments and administration while supporting a smooth experience for employers and employees.
For employers considering a year-end transition, Ameriflex offers November 1 and December 1 implementation dates, providing additional flexibility when determining the right time to make the move.
Did You Catch Our Latest Webinar?
Our latest webinar, The Hottest Benefits Acronyms for 2027: ICHRA, DPC, and AI, explored three trends shaping the future of employee benefits and what employers should have on their radar heading into 2027.
The Insider’s Playbook for 2027
What’s ahead for employers in 2027? Join Ameriflex, Accresa, and Workforce Go for a practical look at strategies to manage costs, stay competitive, and improve the employee experience. We’ll explore smarter approaches to benefits, healthcare, and HR that can help your organization prepare for what’s next.
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 2–3 p.m. ET
Service Spotlight: Support You Can Count On
Q3 Highlights: Service That Keeps Benefits Moving
This quarter, our teams continued to focus on what matters most to employers and participants: responsive service, helpful support, and practical benefits education.
Responsive support you can count on: Our Client Relationship Team achieved a 95 NPS in Q3 while responding to 95% of emails within six hours or less. Client feedback echoed the numbers, with clients highlighting the team as “very supportive and responsive” and praising Ameriflex for providing excellent service.
Education that delivers value: We hosted six webinars in Q3, giving clients and participants practical guidance they can use to better understand and manage their benefits.
Client webinars averaged 135 attendees per session, a 54% attendance rate, and a 4.33/5 satisfaction score.
Participant webinars reached 845 registrants, with attendees giving the sessions a 4.48/5 satisfaction score and a 4.29/5 rating for content and engagement.
These results reflect our continued commitment to making benefits administration easier through responsive support, meaningful education, and a team that is ready to help when it matters.
What Our Clients Are Saying
- “This process was extremely easy. Every issue/question I have had has been answered in a timely manner and explained in a way that made absolute sense.”
- “It was a quick process and easy to follow step by step navigator. Cheerful and extremely knowledgeable.”
- “The processing of claims is painless.”
- “The enrollment process went smoothly. We are happy with the whole process; from enrollment to getting reimbursements.”
- “Great customer service and easy renewal process. Prompt answers.”
Looking Ahead
As we head into the final quarter of 2026, our focus is on helping you navigate open enrollment, prepare for 2027 benefits changes, and explore strategies that provide greater flexibility and value.
Thank you for choosing Ameriflex to support your benefits program. We look forward to supporting you through open enrollment and into the new year.