Employers Brace for 9% Health Plan Cost Increase in 2026

Recent surveys indicate U.S. businesses anticipate significant increases in employee healthcare costs for 2026, with projections averaging around 9 percent higher than 2025 levels. According to data from consulting firm Mercer and other organizations, this would mark the fourth consecutive year of elevated health benefit cost growth following a decade of more moderate annual increases. Most companies report they are already implementing plan modifications to mitigate these rising expenses, though they still expect to pay approximately 6.5 percent more even after adjustments.