As employers look ahead to 2027, many are taking a closer look at how they provide healthcare to their employees. For organizations with existing onsite or near-site health centers, that may mean expanding services, adding staff, or bringing care to additional locations.
The 2025 NAWHC Worksite Health Centers Survey offers insight into why. The survey collected responses from 108 employers representing more than 2.1 million employees and 466 health centers. Overall, the findings show that employers are looking for ways to make healthcare more accessible, useful, and connected to the needs of their workforce.
1. Employees need easier access to care
Getting an appointment with a primary care provider can be difficult. Long wait times, limited availability, and the need to take time away from work can all make it harder for employees to get care when they need it.
Onsite health centers can remove some of those barriers by making care available where employees already spend their time. The 2025 survey found that 68% of participating employers had same-day appointment access through the health center, and most reported that patients waited 10 minutes or less once they arrived.
Access also extends beyond the traditional primary care visit. Health centers are increasingly offering services such as chronic condition management, behavioral health, care coordination, and preventive care. Care coordination in particular has grown in popularity since the NAWHC’s 2023 survey, reflecting a greater focus on helping employees navigate different parts of the healthcare system.
For employees, that can mean fewer roadblocks between their health concerns and getting the right support.
2. Employers are addressing more of their employees' health needs
Onsite clinics are no longer limited to basic primary care. Employers are expanding the services available to support employees at different stages of their health journey.
Preventive screenings, immunizations, chronic disease management, behavioral health, nutrition, and health coaching are some of the many services offered through employer health centers. Staffing is expanding as well, with more centers hiring professionals such as dietitians and licensed clinical social workers.
This holistic approach can make it easier for employees to address health concerns before they become more difficult to manage. It also gives employees more opportunities to receive coordinated care rather than navigating each service separately.
3. Employers are seeing value beyond healthcare costs
Healthcare costs are an important consideration for any employer, but the survey shows that they are not the only reason organizations invest in health centers.
Quality of care, patient experience, and access were among the leading objectives reported by employers. Productivity and employee retention were also important considerations.
Employers also reported positive financial results. Ninety-four percent reported a return on investment greater than 1:1, while more than half reported a return greater than 2:1.
Taken together, the findings suggest that employers are looking at onsite healthcare as part of a broader approach to employee health. When employees can access care more easily and receive support for a wider range of health needs, the value of the health center increases.
What This Means for 2027
The 2025 NAWHC survey points to a continued shift in how employers approach onsite healthcare. Rather than treating the health center as a standalone benefit, employers are increasingly incorporating it into a broader strategy for improving access, supporting employee health, and coordinating care.
That may look different from one organization to another. For some employers, the next step may be adding services to an existing clinic. For others, it may mean expanding to another location or making virtual care available.
The 2025 NAWHC survey shows that employers are continuing to invest in onsite health centers, with many planning to expand their services or reach more employees. For employers looking ahead to 2027, these findings highlight the growing role health centers can play in their overall employee health strategy.
References:
Alliant Insurance Services, & National Association for Workplace Health Care. (2025). NAWHC 2025 worksite health centers survey report. https://nawhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NAWHC-2025-Worksite-Health-Centers-Survey-Report.pdf
