The 2026 Brown & Brown Employer Health and Benefits Strategy Survey, based on responses from 1,241 U.S. employers with 200+ employees, shows a benefits landscape dominated by rising medical and pharmacy costs, economic uncertainty, and growing pressure to control spend. Cost containment is now the top strategic priority, surpassing workforce attraction and retention, as employers focus on stop-loss design, audits, RFPs, and greater plan transparency. Nearly half of employers cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and most plan to continue, though many are adding tighter clinical and behavioral restrictions to manage costs. Despite financial pressures, employers continue investing in employee well-being, parental leave, and holistic health programs, with most increasing related budgets. Notably, employers are becoming more proactive in driving healthcare innovation rather than taking a wait-and-see approach.

Join for free to read