Your health insurance is about to go up by the biggest percentage in 15 years

"Health benefit cost trend has two primary components - healthcare price and utilization. Right now, both are rising."

"The survey projects that total health benefit costs per employee will increase by 6.5% in 2026, even with planned cost-reduction measures, the highest jump since 2010. If employers left current plans unchanged, the increase would approach an alarming 9%, underscoring the relentless pressure on employer healthcare budgets."

"Some of the increases are due to advances in medical science. Advanced diagnostics and cutting-edge therapeutics, such as new cancer treatments and weight-loss medications, are transforming people's lives and bodies but come at steep costs compared to previous therapies. Provider consolidation into large health systems has strengthened bargaining power to set higher reimbursement rates with insurers."

U.S. employer-sponsored health insurance prices have risen for four consecutive years, and employers are preparing for the largest spike in 2025 in 15 years. A wide-ranging survey of more than 1,700 employers projects total health benefit costs per employee will rise 6.5% in 2026 even with planned cost reductions and could approach 9% if plans remain unchanged. Both healthcare prices and utilization are increasing. Cost drivers include advanced diagnostics and high-priced therapeutics (including new cancer treatments and weight-loss medications), provider consolidation raising reimbursement rates, rebound use after delayed care, and growing virtual care adoption.

Read at Fortune