Educating Employees on Increasing Healthcare Costs | Virginia Benefits Consultants

Health care costs in the United States continue to rise, increasing pressure on both employers and employees. Organizations that provide health benefits must balance growing expenses with transparency and trust from their workforce. Clear, compassionate communication is key to helping employees understand and navigate these rising costs. Consider these strategies: Craft messaging that is clear, … Continued

Benefits & Me Newsletter November 2025 | VA Benefits Team

Insurance Costs Expected to Rise A new report from Mercer, a consulting firm specializing in human resources and financial services, predicts that health insurance costs will increase by an average of 6.5% in 2026. This is the most significant jump in 15 years. While health care spending has drastically increased over the last few years, … Continued

2026 Medical Cost Outlook | VA Benefits Team

PwC’s latest annual analysis forecasts that group health insurance costs will increase by 8.5% in 2026—the third straight year at this elevated trend. This sustained rise means health care expenses are now similar to those seen 15 years ago, after a brief dip post-pandemic. Researchers gathered data from actuaries at 24 major U.S. health plans, … Continued

Benefits Breakdown Newsletter – July 2025 | Virginia Benefits Consultants

U.S. Prescription Drug Spending Rose 10.2% in 2024 A new report  from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists revealed that prescription drug spending in the United States reached nearly $806 billion in 2024, up 10.2% from 2023. The increase was largely driven by the demand for weight loss medications, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs. GLP-1 … Continued

Reducing Rising Healthcare Costs in 2025 | Virginia Benefits Team

Healthcare costs are projected to rise significantly in 2025. To mitigate these increases, consider these tips: Know Your Plan: Take time to review what your health plan covers—and what it doesn’t—to avoid unexpected costs. Understand your health plan’s coverage, including deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums. Utilize In-Network Providers: Receiving care from out-of-network providers can dramatically … Continued

Benefits Breakdown November 2024 | Virginia Benefits Advisors

Mercer Report Projects 5.8% Health Benefits Cost Increase in 2025 U.S. employers estimate health benefit costs will increase by 5.8% in 2025, according to Mercer’s 2024 National Survey of Employer-sponsored Health Plans. This would mark the third consecutive year that the total cost per employee rose more than 5%. The report attributed the higher costs to … Continued

Understand Your Spending Power: What You Can Buy with Your FSA, HSA, or HRA | Virginia Benefits Firm

Medical expense accounts can help you save on all kinds of healthcare costs. Here are some you may not know about yet. HSA, FSA, and HRA can typically be used for: Medical expenses: Doctor visits, surgeries, prescriptions, dental and vision care, and mental health services. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Many OTC medications, including pain relievers, allergy … Continued