'Benefit burnout' and health insurance 'planxiety' send young workers to AI for HR answers

"It's open enrollment season again-that period between October and November when workers must reacquaint themselves with "deductibles," "copays," and "premiums." Many would rather wait at the DMV, sit through a three-hour work meeting, or attempt to explain social media to tech-challeged loved ones than spend their afternoon selecting an insurance plan. That's why some workers are farming out everything on their health insurance to-do list to AI and social media."

"New research from HR tech company Justworks and The Harris Poll shows we're entering the era of "benefit burnout": Many people are not doing their own research on what plans are best for them, and instead of consulting HR, they're outsourcing their decisions to artificial intelligence or crowdsourcing on TikTok. Some are simply hitting "renew" to avoid the stress altogether, potentially costing themselves and their employers in the long run."

"Justworks' Benefit Blindspots Report, released earlier this month, found that 62% of zillennials (Gen Z and millennials) would entrust AI to help them decode benefits or compare plan options rather than try to figure it out themselves. That's compared with just 29% of Gen Xers and boomers. It's not just AI. Gen Zers are also more likely to use TikTok, Instagram, or Reddit for research than to ask their employer or HR department for help."

Open enrollment runs between October and November, requiring workers to choose plans with deductibles, copays, and premiums. Many workers avoid the task, preferring other unpleasant activities, and increasingly outsource decisions to AI or social media. Research from Justworks and The Harris Poll identifies widespread "benefit burnout," with people skipping personal research and relying on AI or TikTok crowdsourcing. Some workers simply renew previous plans to avoid stress. Rising premiums complicate the stakes, with KFF projecting a 26% average ACA marketplace increase in 2026. Nearly half forget or regret chosen plans, and 22% reenroll without shopping.

Read at Fast Company