According to the latest data analysis, healthcare costs in the United States are continuing to rise rapidly, and both businesses and employees are expected to face increased pressure on medical expenses next year.
An analysis by Aon, a welfare consulting company, shows that healthcare inflation in the United States has been accelerating in recent years. The rate of increase in employer healthcare costs has jumped from 3.7% in 2022 to 8.8% in 2026, more than doubling.
Aon’s latest data indicates that in 2027, healthcare costs for U.S. employers are expected to increase by 9.5%, with the average healthcare cost per employee exceeding $19,000.
Another large welfare consulting firm, Willis Towers Watson (WTW), conducted a survey showing that U.S. employers anticipate a rise of 11.1% in healthcare costs in 2027, potentially marking the largest annual increase in over 20 years.
As businesses have to pay higher insurance premiums, employees who typically share a portion of the premiums will see an increase in the amount deducted from their salaries.
Aon estimates that in 2026, the average American with employer-sponsored health insurance will need to pay $5,297 for healthcare expenses, including insurance premiums deducted from their salaries, deductibles, co-pays, and other out-of-pocket costs. This number has increased by $388 compared to 2025.
Aon Group points out that the increasing demand for medical services, the rise in chronic diseases, and the higher usage of GLP-1 medications are all significant factors driving the continuous increase in corporate healthcare costs.
In addition to factors such as the rising prices and utilization of healthcare services, the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical billing and coding processes also brings new cost pressures. AI may lead to more detailed medical records compared to manual documentation. In some cases, it may also result in increased medical billing.
Currently, businesses are exploring ways to reduce costs. Aon notes that on average, U.S. employers bear approximately 82% of healthcare costs, so the continuous rise in healthcare expenses directly pressures corporate finances. Some companies are considering adjusting employee benefits and implementing other cost management measures to offset some of the increase.
However, controlling healthcare costs presents a dilemma. Excluding high-cost healthcare providers from insurance networks or further adjusting employee benefits could potentially trigger backlash from employees.