Employer Healthcare Costs Set to Rise 9.5% in 2027, Aon Says

U.S. employer healthcare costs are projected to rise 9.5% in 2027, according to Aon, pushing average spending above $19,000 per employee. The forecast is driven by increased medical use and higher prices associated with specialty drugs, including spending on high-cost treatments and greater use of GLP-1 therapies for conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Aon also points to additional cost pressure as providers adopt technologies, including AI, that support more detailed clinical documentation and coding—potentially contributing to higher billed charges. Aon estimates employers cover about 82% of health-plan costs in 2026. It expects costs to climb for the fourth consecutive year without assuming benefit changes or new cost-management programs.