U.S. employer healthcare costs are projected to rise 9.5% in 2027, pushing the average annual cost above $19,000 per employee and extending a fourth consecutive year of near-double-digit increases. Aon, the second-largest global insurance broker, said higher medical utilization, chronic disease prevalence and growth in drug spending are driving the increase, with health plan costs rising across all industries and the highest spikes anticipated for finance and insurance, technology and communication, and the public sector. Employers will likely implement cost-saving changes or programs to mitigate expected costs. The pressure is prompting companies to consider plan-design changes, cost-management programs and reviews of complex contracts involving insurers, administrative services organizations and pharmacy benefit managers. Aon’s projection assumes no additional changes before mitigation measures are introduced.