Aon projects US employer health care costs rise 9.5% in 2027

• Aon projected US employer health care costs to rise 9.5% in 2027, lifting average costs above 19,000 per employee.
• Forecast implies a fourth straight year of near double-digit increases, extending a multi-year stretch of elevated medical inflation.
• Employers covered about 82% of plan costs in 2026; employer cost per employee rose to 14,432 from 13,269 in 2025.
• Employees’ total health care spending averaged 5,297 in 2026, including 3,130 in payroll premiums, increasing affordability pressure.
• Rising utilization, more chronic disease, higher-cost claims, specialty drugs including GLP-1 therapies, drove the outlook.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. AON plc published the original content used to generate this news brief via PR Newswire (Ref. ID: 202608200900PR_NEWS_USPR_____CG30005) on August 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.