Your health insurance premiums are set to jump in 2026, with costs rising twice as fast as inflation

"Workers are likely to pay between 6% to 7% more for their 2026 employer-sponsored health insurance, more than double the current rate of inflation, according to a new analysis from consultant Mercer. That means employees could pay about $2,400 next year for single coverage in an employer-provided preferred provider organization, or PPO, the most common type of medical plan, Mercer said."

"Companies, which typically pick up the bulk of their employees' health insurance costs, are likely to spend more than $18,000 on average to insure each worker in 2026, Mercer told CBS News. Workers typically shoulder between 16% to 25% of the total, depending on whether they are receiving single or family coverage, according to KFF's 2024 employer health benefits survey. The findings come as American households continue to feel squeezed by rising prices, with inflation inching higher this year on everything from groceries to housing."

"The jump in health insurance costs are partly due to an aging workforce that's tapping more medical services, as well as increased demand for costly treatments such as the used for weight loss, Mercer Chief Actuary Sunit Patel said. Employees "might also see an increase in the cost-sharing provisions in the design as well - higher co-pays, higher deductibles - so it's getting hit on both ends," Beth Umland, director of research for health and benefits at Mercer, told CBS News."

Workers face projected premium increases of 6% to 7% for 2026 employer-sponsored health insurance, outpacing current inflation. Single coverage could cost roughly $2,400 annually in payroll deductions, while family coverage could approach $8,900. Employer spending per worker may exceed $18,000 on average in 2026, with employees covering about 16% to 25% of costs depending on coverage type. Cost pressures stem from an aging workforce using more medical services and rising demand for costly treatments, and plan designs may shift to higher co-pays and deductibles, increasing employee out-of-pocket responsibility.

Read at Cbsnews