WTW survey: US employers project healthcare costs to rise 11.1% in 2027, 9.7% after plan changes
Key points
- Employers project healthcare costs up 11.1% in 2027 before plan changes, 9.7% after
- Highest level since the early 2000s
- 85% plan or consider shifting costs via premiums by 2028, versus 44% today; 71% consider higher out-of-pocket costs, versus 30%
WTW's 2026 Best Practices in Healthcare Survey, released October 28, 2026, found US employers project healthcare costs up 11.1% in 2027 before plan changes and 9.7% after, the highest since the early 2000s. The survey was conducted June through August and covered 471 US employers with at least 100 employees. 85% plan or consider shifting costs via premiums by 2028, versus 44% today; 71% consider higher out-of-pocket costs, versus 30%.
What employers should do
- Use the pre- and post-change cost projections when building the 2027 healthcare budget
- Assess the impact of premium shifts and higher out-of-pocket costs on employees
Original report: Human Resources Director ↗Edited with AI assistance. Facts are based on official sources and original reports. For information only; not legal, immigration or insurance advice.