# Health costs rise for workers

> Health insurance costs for workers climb 9% as employers face rising premiums.
- Title: Health costs rise for workers · PhillyVoice | Shortify
- Summary: Health insurance costs for workers climb 9% as employers face rising premiums. Large employers increased workers' health insurance costs by 9% to $7,471…
- Keywords: health insurance, premiums, kff health news, employer-based plans, workers, costs, 2027, kff survey, healthcare costs, affordable care act, news, local
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/health-insurance-employer-based-costs-relief
- Published: 2026-10-25T09:01:00.333+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: health insurance, premiums, kff health news, employer-based plans, workers, costs, 2027, kff survey, healthcare costs, affordable care act, news, local
## Health costs rise for workers
Nearly half of large employers increased workers' health insurance costs this year.
## 2027 premiums rise 9%
Workers pay $7,471 annually for family health insurance, up 9% from 2025.
## Employers face higher costs
Employers' health insurance premiums rise 5% to $28,303 annually for families.
## 44% of employers raise costs
44% of large employers with at least 200 employees increased workers' share of premiums.
## KFF survey finds
KFF Health News surveyed 150 million Americans covered through employer-based health plans.
## Small businesses pay more
Small companies have higher average deductibles: $2,624 versus $1,772 for large firms.
## Workers' share of costs
Workers pay 27% of family health premiums, up slightly from previous year.
## AON projects 9.5% increase
Consulting firm AON projects employers could pay 9.5% more in health premiums next year.
## Marsh predicts 8.2% rise
Marsh estimates 8.2% increase in health premiums for employers next year.
## AI drives costs up
Business Group on Health says AI is used to maximize billing for insurers and patients.
## Healthcare industry inaction
Healthcare industry is not controlling costs despite rising premiums.
## Phifer Inc. keeps costs flat
Phifer Inc. maintains health costs flat through on-site clinics and direct doctor contracts.
## 29% see GLP-1 impact
29% of companies report significant cost effects from GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
## 9% buy drugs abroad
9% of companies with 50+ workers source prescription drugs from outside the U.S.
## Costs could become job killer
Employers worry rising healthcare costs could become the next job killer.
## Key takeaway

Large employers increased workers' health insurance costs by 9% to $7,471 annually for families in 2027.