Employees using health benefits more frequently in 2026
Published 30th April 2026
Research shows employees are using health benefits more frequently in 2026, with simplified access expected to further increase uptake
65% of employees report that they have access to workplace health benefits, with one in five (20%) using them at least once a month.
However, 66% of people who have used their employee health benefits faced barriers using them, showing opportunity for employers and providers to further support employee access.
A third of employees (35%) say they would be more likely to use their health benefits if they were simple to use.
Simplyhealth is on a mission to provide entirely barrier-free access to healthcare, to ensure employees get the support they need when they want it.
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of employees now receive health benefits through their employer according to research from healthcare services and plan provider, Simplyhealth, with one in five (20%) reporting that they use them at least once a month - up from one in six (15%) last year.
However, while nearly two in three now have access to employer-provided health benefits, some still do not use them. Over a quarter of employees with access to health benefits (29%) say that despite needing to use their benefits, they have not.
Simplifying access to benefits can help encourage employees to make the best use of the support on offer. A third (35%) of employees say that they would be more likely to use their health benefits if they were simple to use, and 23% say they would be encouraged to use their benefits if their employer was clearer about what was available to them.
The new data shows among those employees that have used their benefits, 66% report experiencing barriers including lack of clarity and cost concerns when accessing benefits.
Barriers preventing employees from using their health benefits
Concern around cost and reimbursement of benefits are two of the biggest barriers for many employees who receive benefits through their employer. 17% of employees that use their health benefits say the support only covered part of the cost, leaving them to pay the rest. Meanwhile, 14% of employees who used their health benefits were reluctant to do so as they didn’t want to pay and wait to be reimbursed. Simplyhealth approves most claims within one day, with money back to members within three days of submitting a claim.
Lack of clarity in what benefits are provided is also a consistent problem for employees. 10% of those who did use their employee health benefits and 8% of those who never used them didn’t know what cover they had because the information from their health provider was unclear.
Additionally, 14% of those that used their benefits and 8% who have never used them, say they weren’t sure whether their illness was covered.
For many employees who receive health benefits through their employer, not being able to access their preferred provider was another common pain point. 10% of employees that have used their health benefits report that their health provider does not include their preferred provider in their offering. In addition, one in ten (8%) report having to pay for a referral from their GP first.
These challenges, while not an issue for all employees, highlight a clear opportunity for employers and providers to simplify access through clearer communication, smoother reimbursement processes, and simpler access to benefits.
Dr Macarena Staudenmaier, Head of Clinical Product at Simplyhealth said:
"It’s encouraging to see so many employers investing in workplace health benefits at a time when they are contending with many competing financial demands. This commitment can make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing and to long-term business outcomes."
"There’s a big opportunity to increase the impact of this investment by helping teams feel confident about using the benefits available to them. Simple steps can go a long way: communicate clearly and regularly what’s covered, explain how to access support, and make signposting part of onboarding and everyday line-manager conversations."
"When employees understand their healthcare options, especially how to get help quickly when they need it, they’re more likely to use benefits early, when support can be most effective. That not only improves engagement and return on investment, it also helps employers build a workplace culture rooted in preventative healthcare."
Simplyhealth's purpose
Simplyhealth aims to remove barriers to access healthcare. Employees can access a range of services as and when needed, from online dermatology services to 24/7 digital mental health support.
To remove concerns around reimbursement for optical care services, Simplyhealth has opportunities to pay the provider directly (up to plan limits), and thanks to the introduction of AI, claims can now be processed within 24 hours. It also offers low-cost workplace products, including dental plans.
Paul Schreier, CEO at Simplyhealth, said:
“We want our members to make the most of our services. Over the last two years we’ve relentlessly focused our efforts to remove friction and pain points from everyday healthcare – building a simple digital front door through the Simplyhealth app, speeding up claims by integrating AI into our operations, and expanding affordable services people can actually use.
“2.8 million working-age people are now economically inactive due to ill health1. It is critical that employers and health providers work together to break down barriers to access experienced by employees to support a healthy and productive workforce.”
What employers can do
The findings highlight the importance of supporting employees, not only by offering workplace health benefits, but by helping them understand and access them with confidence.
Choosing benefits that are simple to use, with clear digital access and no referral or approval needed, can help remove friction and enable employees to seek support when they need it. Clear and regular communication about what is covered, how benefits can be used, and any costs involved can further reduce confusion.
Employers can also maximise the impact of their benefits by embedding awareness into onboarding, manager training and everyday workplace conversations, making healthcare support easy to navigate and accessible when employees need it most.
Methodology
2026 DATA: Between 2 March and 9 March 2026, Opinium surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,000 working adults in the UK about their workplace health benefits and barriers to accessing them.
2025 DATA: Between 31 January and 10 February 2025, Opinium surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,000 working adults in the UK about their workplace health benefits and barriers to accessing them.
References
Keep Britain Working Review, November 2025:
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