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Press release

Bridging the gap: Mercer Marsh Benefits report reveals employees’ critical healthcare needs

Melbourne | May 14, 2025

Mercer Marsh Benefits, a combination of experts from Mercer and Marsh, businesses of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), today released the results of its 2025 Health on Demand report, which surveyed over 18,000 employees across 17 markets about their health and well-being priorities.

The comprehensive global report on employee health and wellbeing, which included 1,030 participants from Australia, reveals a disturbing trend that 73% of Australian employees are postponing necessary healthcare due to financial reasons (32%), anticipated long waits for an appointment (24%), feelings of embarrassment, anxiety or fear over health concerns (22%), and an inability to take time off work (20%).

The report highlights the need for employers to support individuals from a practical and cultural perspective as they make health decisions.

“Employers have a significant role to play in the health and wellbeing of their employees,” said Head of Mercer Marsh Benefits, Pacific, Alex Lumby. “One in four Australian employees lack confidence in their ability to afford the healthcare they and their families need,” he said.

“With the primary impediment to seeking healthcare being financial constraints, there is opportunity for employers to include in their benefit offering to employees much-needed support for healthcare.”

There is a clear gender disparity in the confidence of employees to afford healthcare, with 17% of male employees lacking confidence compared to 30% of female employees. Among different income brackets, 20% of employees with a household income above the median are not confident in affording healthcare, a figure that rises to 31% for those below the median.

“There’s a suite of benefits and interventions that employers can introduce to help employees close the healthcare gap in a cost-effective way. Offering preventative health screenings, discounted telehealth, funding for prescription medicines and mental health support, for example, are valuable initiatives for employees.

“Importantly, employers should not forget losses from reduced productivity and insurance claims due to poor employee health are costly. These losses can be mitigated, and productivity can even be improved by meaningful health benefits,” Mr Lumby said.

Among the physical health benefits that employees value most, according to the report:

  • 38% value insurance coverage or discounts for routine doctor’s visits (provided by 19% of employers)
  • 36% value preventative cancer screenings (provided by 13% of employers)
  • 34% value insurance coverage or discounts for outpatient prescription drugs (provided by 17% of employers)

About the 2025 Health on Demand report

The 2025 Health on Demand report is based on a survey of over 18,000 employees in 17 markets and was conducted from October to November 2024. The resulting report captures employees’ perspectives to inform decisions about health and well-being benefit needs. Read the full report here.

About Mercer Marsh Benefits

Mercer Marsh Benefits helps clients manage the costs, risks and complexities of employee health and benefits, through the combined expertise of Mercer and Marsh, businesses of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC). Marsh McLennan is a global leader in risk, strategy and people, advising clients in 130 countries across four businesses: Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer and Oliver Wyman. With annual revenue of over $24 billion and more than 90,000 colleagues, Marsh McLennan helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit marshmclennan.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X. 

Media contact

Paul Ritchie

Paul Ritchie

Head of External Affairs and Media Relations, Pacific

+61 (447) 950011

  • Australia

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