Healthcare cost insights from 1,500 small and midsize employersRead more
REPORT

2026 State of Healthcare Spend

We surveyed more than 1,500 CEOs and senior Finance and HR leaders at small and midsize employers to understand how rising healthcare costs are reshaping benefits decisions and what they expect from their advisors next.

The 2026 State of Healthcare Spend has the data behind this shift.

2026 State of Healthcare Spend hero

What's inside

How costs are hitting SMBs 
Why rising healthcare costs are hitting small and midsize employers the hardest and what a renewal spike really does to an employer’s bottom line.

What’s driving healthcare spend 
The short list of conditions driving a disproportionate share of spend and where intervention pays off.

How employers are responding 
Where interest in new funding models is highest, how priorities differ by region, and what employers now expect from their advisors.

Key findings

79%Saw a double-digit total healthcare spend increase in the last 12 months
77%Are exploring new health plan funding models
52%Are extremely likely or likely to switch brokers 
state of healthcare