Health Plan Costs Expected to Rise 5.6％ in 2023

Employers in the U.S. expect health plan costs per employee to rise 5.6 percent on average in 2023. While significantly higher than the premium increase of 4.4 percent projected for 2022, the 2023 increase lags overall inflation, which is currently running at about 8.5 percent year-over-year.

The cost-increase forecast is based on the first 864 employers with 50 or more employees responding, through Aug. 4., to HR consultancy Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans. The survey launched June 22 and remains open, with a final report expected this fall.

“Because health plans typically have multiyear contracts with health care providers, we haven’t felt the full effect of...