Employers with claims-data access take more cost action, survey finds

This article was originally published at Employers with claims-data access take more cost action, survey finds

Employers that can see their own claims data are doing measurably more to control healthcare costs, according to the 2026 Pulse of the Purchaser survey from the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions.

The survey of 408 employers across industries found that those with complete claims-data access were using an average of 11.9 cost-management strategies, compared with 7.9 among employers without such access — roughly four additional strategies. Only about 60 percent of employers said they felt confident they could audit a complete claims file.

Cost pressure is mounting. Employers projected an average 7.7 percent increase in healthcare costs for the coming plan year, with one in three expecting increases of 9 percent or more. Fully insured employers expected the steepest rises: 45 percent anticipated increases of 9 percent or more, against 23 percent of those using hybrid arrangements.

Hospital and facility costs account for the largest share of spending at 30.5 percent, followed by prescription drugs at 21.1 percent and professional fees at 19.1 percent. Market share held by the three largest pharmacy benefit managers fell from 63.4 percent in 2025 to 54.3 percent in 2026, and 87.6 percent of employers said they support regulatory reform of PBMs.

The National Alliance’s conclusion: employers have the concern and the will to act, but too often lack the usable data, contractual rights, and staff capacity to do so.

This article was originally published at Employers with claims-data access take more cost action, survey finds