'Aflac employees should prepare for 2026 by reviewing upcoming benefit changes and exploring ways to manage rising out-of-pocket health care costs.' - Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Aflac employees can better navigate rising health care expenses in 2026 by understanding benefit adjustments early and making informed plan selections,' - Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article, we’ll examine:

1. Why increasing health care costs are pushing Aflac employers to pass more expenses onto employees.

2. The approaches companies are using to handle cost pressures, including changes in plan design and pharmacy benefit modifications.

3. How marketplace premium hikes and medical cost trends affect overall health care affordability.

In 2026, Aflac employees may bear a greater share of health care expenses as costs keep climbing.

Many large U.S. companies, including those such as Aflac, are preparing to adjust benefit structures to counter rising health care expenses. Mercer’s recent survey of 711 U.S. employers with 500 or more employees found that 51% are “likely” or “very likely” to raise deductibles, coinsurance, or out-of-pocket maximums in 2026—up from 45% who said the same for 2026. ¹  

Despite cost-saving actions, employers’ health care costs rose by 4.5% in 2026 and are expected to climb another 5.8% in 2026; absent these actions, Mercer estimates that costs could go up by ~8%. ²  A key contributing factor is the high price of GLP-1 medications for diabetes and weight loss, averaging around $1,000 per patient per month. ¹  The survey also found that 77% of employers rated managing GLP-1 costs as extremely or very important. ¹  Although many companies—including those in the energy sector—have expanded GLP-1 coverage, growing concerns suggest such plans may be untenable by 2026.

Shifting Employer Approaches to Benefits

Previously, employers hesitated to raise deductibles because of tight labor markets and concerns about affordability. Today, with economic uncertainty and slower wage growth, cost management may be taking precedence over hiring and retention efforts in some cases. In 2026, 35% of large firms intend to offer unconventional medical plan options—such as copay-based models aimed at reducing costs while maintaining quality. ¹  Moreover, 61% are evaluating alternatives to traditional pharmacy benefit arrangements to bring more clarity to drug pricing and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) services. ¹

Rising Costs in the Individual Market

The pressure extends beyond employer-sponsored coverage. The ACA marketplace is slated to experience some of its biggest premium increases in over five years. According to state filings, 2026 premiums could jump dramatically—UnitedHealthcare in New York is seeking increases of up to 66.4%, ³  Arkansas expects an average increase of 36.1%, ⁴  and Florida Blue is looking at 27%. ⁵  If enhanced federal subsidies expire at the end of 2026, millions could be exposed to the full impact of these higher premiums.

Why Costs Are Rising Across the Board

Medical cost trends are projected to increase by 7–10% annually—far exceeding general inflation—driven by factors like brand name medications, hospital services, and specialist care. Regulatory changes are adding further pressure. Insurer earnings also contribute, as several major carriers posted record profits in 2026 while launching multibillion-dollar stock buybacks.

Key Take-Away for Aflac Workers

With 51% of employers planning to transfer more health care costs onto workers—and ACA premiums rising sharply—2026 may become a critical year for health care affordability. Aflac employees who familiarize themselves with upcoming benefit changes, optimize HSA/FSA contributions, and choose their 2026 plan with care may offset some of the added costs. Otherwise, households could see thousands in extra spending for equal—or even reduced—coverage.

Before finalizing any estate plan, it is worth examining how Aflac's employer-sponsored benefits fit into the broader picture. It is important to note that Aflac maintains a defined benefit pension plan that has been frozen to new benefit accruals -- meaning the plan no longer accumulates future benefits for most employees, but those who were already vested may still be entitled to receive the pension benefit they accrued prior to the freeze, subject to the vesting requirements described in their plan documents - this means the plan no longer accumulates future benefits for most employees, but those who were already vested may still be entitled to receive the pension benefit they accrued prior to the freeze, subject to the vesting requirements described in their plan documents. Aflac also offers retiree healthcare benefits to eligible employees, which can provide meaningful coverage for those who retire before reaching Medicare eligibility at age 65. Because the specifics of your pension benefit, retiree healthcare eligibility, and any matching contributions depend on your individual employment history and plan documents, We encourage you to review your Summary Plan Description (SPD) or speak with Aflac's HR or benefits team for the most current details.

Sources:

1.  Mercer. “ U.S. Employers Rethinking Benefit Strategy for 2026 amid Rapidly Rising Costs .”  Mercer Newsroom , 16 July 2026.

2. Fierce Healthcare. ' Mercer survey: Employers may make a return to healthcare cost-shifting strategies ,' by Paige Minemyer. 16 Jul 2026. 

3. New York State Department of Financial Services. ' 2026 Individual and Small Group Requested Rate Actions ,' 2 June 2026. 

4. ACHI. ' Arkansas Insurers File Proposed Rate Increases for 2026 ,' by Chris Ray. 8 Aug. 2026. 

5. Insurance Newsnet. ' Florida Blue among companies proposing double-digit healthcare increases ,' by Christine Sexton. 12 Aug. 2026. 

Other Resources:

1.  Ortaliza, Jared, et al. “How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going Up in 2026.”  Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker , 6 Aug. 2026.

2.  New York State Department of Financial Services. “2026 Individual and Small Group Requested Rate Actions – Additional Information.”  DFS Prior Approval Portal , accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

3.  Sexton, Christine. “Watch Out for Double-Digit Health Insurance Increases in 2026.”  The Florida Phoenix , 11 Aug. 2026.

4.  Federal Trade Commission.  Specialty Generic Drugs: A Growing Profit Center for Vertically Integrated Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Second Interim Staff Report.  14 Jan. 2026. pp. 5–6, 19–20, 32–34.