US employers faced a near 7% health coverage cost increase in the current year, prompting many to prepare 2027 plan changes for workers.
A majority of surveyed organizations planned employee premium increases in 2027, while 48% of larger employers also expected higher deductibles, copays, or other charges.
Over the past 5 yr, avg. employer medical coverage cost growth was ~6% yearly, double the prior decade's ~3% pace, with the current jump highest.
To manage affordability, a third of large employers planned at least one nontraditional plan in 2027, and 38% were considering similar lower-cost coverage options.
The strategy paired traditional cost sharing with plans that steered employees toward higher-value care, aiming to preserve quality coverage while easing pressure on household budgets.
