Employers are bracing for double-digit increases in healthcare costs, and small businesses could face the biggest squeeze.
A new survey from consulting firm Marsh shows employers expect health benefit costs to rise 8.2% per employee in 2027 — the highest increase since 2003. Without changes to their current plans, costs could jump 11%.
Small business owners especially are finding it harder to keep offering health plans that everyone can afford without cutting benefits, freezing wages, or passing on costs to consumers.