Employers, workers slated to see healthcare costs rise

According to Aon, employer spending on healthcare has more than doubled in recent years, rising from 3.7% in 2022 to 8.8% in 2026.

In 2027, U.S. employer healthcare costs are slated to rise even more, reaching 9.5% and raising average costs above $19,000 per employee. This marks the fourth consecutive year of almost double-digit cost growth for employers.

Meanwhile, a separate survey from WTW, another benefits consultant, said employers' healthcare costs are likely to rise by 11.1% next year, the steepest increase in 20 years and the fifth year of escalating growth.

According to Aon's report, total plan costs rose 8.3% between 2025 and 2026, with employer costs up 8.8%. The middle 50% of employers saw cost increases ranging from 5.5% to 11.5%. In addition, employers covered 82.2% of plan costs in 2026.

As companies are being forced to pay more for insurance, workers are seeing rising costs as well. According to Aon, workers saw premiums rise 6.4% in 2026 and are expected to spend an average of $5,297 for healthcare — $3,130 in premiums and $2,167 out of pocket. Employee out-of-pocket spending rose 10.2% between 2025 and 2026, the Aon report found.

"Employers have now experienced several consecutive years of healthcare cost increases that are approaching double digits," Pasterick said in a statement.

"At this level, rising healthcare costs become much more than a budgeting challenge and influence organizational decisions from benefits strategy and employee affordability to broader workforce and financial planning priorities," he added. "Leaders are undergoing pressure to maintain affordable benefits while continuing to invest in attracting, supporting and retaining talent."