Ensign Group Retirees Face Rising Health Care Costs: Insights from Patrick Ray & Tyson Mavar

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Ensign Group employees should consider building personalized strategies that include HSAs and emergency reserves to help manage future medical expenses.' — Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'As medical expenses continue to rise, Ensign Group employees benefit from proactively incorporating health care costs into their retirement planning through customized approaches like HSAs and dedicated emergency funds.' — Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

1. How health care inflation impacts retirement planning for Fortune 500 employees.

2. Strategies with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and emergency medical funds.

3. The need for tailored planning to meet Medicare gaps and long-term care needs.

Managing retirement health care costs calls for thoughtful planning, especially as medical expenses continue to outpace general inflation. Yet, for Fortune 500 professionals approaching retirement, generic guidance often misses the mark. Patrick Ray and Tyson Mavar of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement, recommend a customized approach that factors in health care inflation, coverage choices, tax-efficient tools, and access to liquid funds for unexpected medical events.

Health Care Estimate for Retirees

According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, a 65-year‑old retiring in 2025 may need approximately $172,500 saved to cover health and medical expenses during retirement—an increase of over 4% since 2024. ¹  Notably, this estimate assumes enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, and D and excludes the costs of long‑term care.

Of that estimate, 44% of the costs would go to Medicare Parts B and D premiums, 47% relate to standard out‑of‑pocket costs (such as co-payments and deductibles), and 9% would be needed to purchase prescription medications. ¹

These trends are particularly concerning given that roughly 20% of Americans say they haven’t considered health care in retirement planning, while 17% haven’t taken any planning steps yet. ²

For its part, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) notes that a 65‑year‑old couple with higher prescription drug expenses may need as much as $413,000 to have a 90% likelihood of covering their medical needs in retirement. ³

The Value of a Personalized Retirement Health Care Approach

In light of this data, Ray and Mavar recommend developing a retirement health care strategy tailored to each individual's situation, particularly for those at large employers like Fortune 500. Key components could include:

• - Estimating expected medical needs

• - Using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

• - Keeping readily available funds for emergencies

• - Aligning health care coverage with lifespan and income expectations

1. Estimating Your Health Care Budget

Although industry research offers a baseline for average health care costs, it does not consider the full range of medical expenses Ensign Group employees could face post-retirement. For instance, if you factor in costs related to long-term care, estimates could balloon by an additional $26,000 to $127,750 per year. ⁴

Beyond long-term care, additional cost categories could include:

• - Medicare premiums

• - Prescription medications and co‑pays

• - Services not covered by Medicare (e.g., dental, vision)

Ray and Mavar caution Fortune 500 professionals not to underestimate these figures when planning.

2. Gaps in Preparedness

With 17% of Americans having taken no action to plan for health care in retirement, Ray and Mavar emphasize treating health care planning as a central component—not an afterthought.

3. Making Full Use of HSAs

Ray and Mavar suggest consistently contributing to HSAs during working years. For instance, a 35‑year‑old contributing up to $4,300 annually and assuming a 7% return might accumulate over  $500,000  by age 65, including approximately  $140,000 in tax savings . Only about  30%  of HSA holders currently invest those balances.

In their recent webinar, ' Leveraging HSAs to Reduce Health Care Costs ,' Mavar described benefits such as tax‑free growth and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses for those with high‑deductible health plans.

4. Building an Emergency Medical Reserve

Unexpected diagnoses or emergencies can quickly drain resources. Mavar recommends a separate cash reserve—such as in a money market or high‑yield savings account—outside primary retirement accounts. This may help retirees handle health care shocks without impacting long‑term investments.

• Broader Economic Landscape: Health Care Inflation and Trends

Health care spending is projected to continue rising. In a report published by federal actuaries, U.S. health care spending is expected to rise by 7.1% in 2025—well ahead of general inflation. ⁵  Reasons for this rise range from growing personal health care spending and hospital spending growth, to prescription drugs and physician services. As a result, health care expenses could account for 20% of U.S. GDP by 2033. ⁵

At the same time, many health care insurers report higher medical-loss ratios, indicating increased spending on care—including chronic disease management and mental health services—costs that could be passed down to retirees.

Key Recommendations for Retirement Health Care Preparation

• As Mavar and Ray note, the $172,500 estimate for those retiring in 2025 is simply a starting reference point. Early retirement or long-term care needs could push your total higher.

• If you are among the percentage of people who has not yet considered health care costs in your retirement planning, now is the time to start. By leveraging the triple tax advantages available through HSAs, putting aside sufficient reserves to address medical emergencies, and exploring individual strategies that take your personal coverage choices, retirement timing, and health conditions into account, you can build a safety net that considers your long-term health care spending needs.

Final Thoughts

Health care outcomes and personal circumstances vary widely—especially among long‑time Fortune 500 professionals. A tailored planning strategy—covering realistic spending projections, full use of HSAs, dedicated medical reserves, and thoughtful coverage choices—can help support a more predictable and manageable retirement journey.

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Ensign Group offers a 401(k) Savings Plan for its employees, which includes both pre-tax and Roth after-tax contribution options. The eligibility criteria for the plan requires that all full-time and part-time employees aged 18 and above can join the plan on the first of the month following 90 days of service. Employees can contribute up to 90% of their pay on a pre-tax or Roth basis, with the annual IRS contribution limit set at $23,000 for 2024. For employees aged 50 and above, an additional "catch-up" contribution of $7,500 is allowed. Ensign Group matches 25% of the first 2% of compensation contributed by employees, with a vesting schedule of 25% per year of service, reaching full vesting after four years. The plan includes various investment options through Fidelity, including target-date funds tailored to retirement timelines.

Restructuring and Layoffs: In early 2023, Ensign Group announced a restructuring plan aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs. This move included the consolidation of some facilities and a reduction in workforce, primarily affecting administrative and support roles. The company stated that these changes were necessary to improve efficiency and operational agility.

Ensign Group offered stock options (SO) and RSUs to its employees as part of its compensation package. The company's SO and RSU plans are designed to attract and retain key talent by aligning employee interests with shareholder value. For 2022, the stock options and RSUs were granted to executives and other key employees based on their performance and role within the company.

Ensign Group: Health Benefits Information 1. Official Website Ensign Group Benefits Overview: Ensign Group's official website often outlines employee benefits, including healthcare options. You can usually find detailed information under their "Careers" or "Employee Benefits" sections. Key Terms: Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Preventive Care, Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 2. Glassdoor Benefits Review: Reviews from employees on Glassdoor often highlight the specifics of healthcare benefits, such as health insurance plans, coverage details, and employee satisfaction. Key Terms: Health Insurance Coverage, PPO, HMO, Deductibles, Co-pays. 3. Indeed Employee Reviews: Indeed provides employee reviews and salary information, including insights into healthcare benefits and any recent changes. Key Terms: Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, Coverage Options, Wellness Programs. 4. LinkedIn Company Updates: LinkedIn can offer updates and posts related to Ensign Group's employee benefits, including any new health initiatives or changes in benefits. Key Terms: Wellness Benefits, Health and Wellness Programs, Employee Health Plans. 5. News Articles Recent News: Look for recent news articles on healthcare benefits or changes at Ensign Group. These articles might discuss new policies, cost changes, or improvements in health benefits. Key Terms: Benefit Enhancements, Policy Changes, Healthcare Coverage Updates. Summary of Recent Employee Healthcare News for Ensign Group: 2022 Updates: Ensign Group has been working on enhancing its healthcare benefits, including improving access to preventive care and expanding wellness programs. They’ve been emphasizing mental health support and telehealth services as part of their comprehensive healthcare offerings. 2023 Developments: In 2023, Ensign Group continued to evolve its health benefits by introducing new flexible spending account options and expanding employee assistance programs. There has been a focus on providing more comprehensive coverage and better support for chronic conditions. 2024 Changes: For 2024, Ensign Group has made adjustments to its health insurance plans, including updates to deductible levels and premium costs. They have also introduced additional wellness incentives and resources to support employee health and well-being.