As Employer Health Costs Rise, Worker Cancer Cases An Increasing Worry

Healthcare As Employer Health Costs Rise, Worker Cancer Cases An Increasing Worry By Bruce Japsen ,

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bruce Japsen writes about healthcare business and policy. Follow Author Aug 26, 2026, 03:20pm EDT Aug 26, 2026, 03:45pm EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary Cancer cases are significantly increasing employer healthcare premiums, making it the top concern for companies providing medical benefits. A new report from the Business Group on Health reveals cancer has been the primary driver of healthcare spending for five consecutive years. Seventy percent of surveyed employers, covering over 11 million individuals globally, identified cancer as their number one cost driver for 2026, a notable increase from 58% in 2025. This trend contributes to a projected median healthcare cost increase of 9.2% for the 2027 employee benefit year. Unlike other reports focusing on prescription drugs, this study emphasizes cancer's broad impact across hospital, outpatient, and pharmacy costs, including surgeries, infusions, and medications, making it a pervasive and escalating financial challenge for businesses.