Becker's Healthcare November 19, 2025
Employers can expect a 6.7% increase in total health benefit costs in 2026 — the steepest in 15 years — according to the 2025 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans from consulting firm Mercer.
The cost per employee is slated to reach over $18,500, up from $17,496 this year. Mercer partially attributed the jump going into 2025 — which surpassed the rate of inflation and wage growth — to higher prescription drug costs. These costs saw a 9.4% increase, after rebates, for employers with at least 500 workers, while specialty drug costs per employee rose 8.9%.
More employers also covered GLP-1s for obesity, with most instituting authorization requirements. In 2025, 49% of employers with at least 500 workers and 66%...
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