3 of the biggest healthcare trends for 2026

Published December 23, 2025 2:00 PM EST 5 Min Read

Leaders should be keeping an eye out for these healthcare trends in the new year — Adobe Stock

Key Insight: Discover how prioritizing specialty, behavioral health, and data can curb rising employer costs.
Supporting Data: Employers project a 9% rise in healthcare spending for 2026 (Business Group on Health).
Forward Look: Prepare for intensified focus on specialty access, behavioral supports, and benefit analytics.
Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

As employers struggle to find ways to mitigate year-over-year healthcare cost hikes, staying knowledgeable about upcoming trends will be the key to meeting employees’ needs, while keeping spending low.

Paola Peralta

Associate Editor

Paola Peralta is an Associate Editor at Employee Benefit News and has been with the team for five years. She is a proud UCF journalism graduate who got her start through a Dow Jones News Fund … Read full bio

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