U.S. employers project that their health care costs will increase by 9.1% in 2026, which is a higher pace than the previous two years, when increases were 8.1% in 2025 and 7.0% in 2024, according to a new survey by WTW, which provides data-driven, insight-led solutions and specializes in the areas of people, risk, and capital. The top three drivers of health care costs that the surveyed employers identified are specialty pharmaceuticals and GLP-1 medications, claimants who are high-cost, and chronic conditions, according to the survey results.
Among cost-saving measures that employers are planning to take for employee health care costs in the next three years, they are prioritizing changes to program subsidies, plan designs, and behavioral requirements. Employers cited the need to expand clinical programs to address the rising impact of chronic conditions, especially in cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health, digestive health, obesity, and oncology, the survey findings stated.
More than one-third of employers, 36%, have taken their plans out to bid, and another 50% are planning to do so. About 33% of the employers surveyed have conducted a medical claims audit, and another 44% are planning a medical claims audit in hopes of increasing efficiency. Reviews of prior authorizations and evaluations of qualifying payments for out-of-network services are also tactics, with 22% having done so and 34% planning to do so.
A total of 417 employers participated in the WTW 2025 Best Practices in Healthcare Survey during June and July 2025.
These findings were presented in Employers Prepare for Disruptive and Transformative Health Plan Changes, WTW Survey Finds, by WTW. WTW provides data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk, and capital. The WTW 2025 Best Practices in Healthcare Survey was conducted in June and July 2025, according to the survey.
The full text of Employers Prepare for Disruptive and Transformative Health Plan Changes, WTW Survey Finds was published on September 22, 2025, by WTW. A free copy is available (accessed October 1, 2025).
For more information, contact: Arnelle Sullivan, Public Relations Associate, North America, Willis Towers Watson, 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606; 718-208-0474; Email: Arnelle.Sullivan@wtwco.com; Website: https://www.wtwco.com/
January 2026 00US26EUA0003