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About Castlight
Castlight is a comprehensive healthcare navigation platform, making it easy for members to understand, use, and maximize their healthcare benefits by seamlessly connecting them with the right care at the right time.
2026 Employer Benefits Report
Why employees are going outside their health benefits
New survey shows a growing disconnect between what employers offer and how employees actually navigate their care.
35%
of employees report spending $500+ out of pocket per year on health or wellness apps
37%
of employees would be more likely to use benefits if they had a single place to browse and manage everything
80%
of employees say they would be more likely to stay with an employer that offers a flexible wellness allowance
About the report
Employees today have more health and wellbeing benefits than ever before. But access is not translating into engagement.
This report explores how employees are actually navigating their health, where employer-sponsored benefits are falling short, and why more people are turning to consumer tools and out-of-pocket solutions instead. Based on a national survey of 2,000 U.S. employees, it offers a clear look at the growing gap between what’s offered and what’s used.
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Why download the report
- Learn why employees are building their own “DIY health ecosystems” instead of relying on employer benefits
- See how complexity, lack of clarity, and limited flexibility are impacting engagement
- Explore where employers have an opportunity to better guide employees and improve outcomes
Download the 2026 Employer Benefits Report
Survey Methodology
This report is based on a national survey of approximately 2,000 U.S. employees conducted in Q1 2026. Respondents were required to be currently employed and eligible for employer-sponsored health benefits, with representation across industries, demographics, and company sizes. The sample was evenly distributed across four employer size segments, with approximately 500 respondents in each group.