Rising health-care costs are driving the largest projected increase in employer spending in 15 years.

In August, medical care prices rose 4.2% annually, with doctor visits up 3.5% and hospital services 5.3%.

Large employers expect overall health coverage costs to increase 9% in 2026, partly due to a projected 12% rise in prescription drug spending, driven by cancer treatments and expensive weight-loss drugs like GLP-1s.

Some companies may pass costs onto employees, but most are seeking other ways to manage expenses, including tighter eligibility for costly medications, CNBC has reported.

Non-subsidized consumers could also face double-digit premium increases on ACA plans.