Tim Stawicki notes that CFOs are increasingly partnering with HR executives to manage rising healthcare costs.
Tim Stawicki, a senior managing director at the global insurance broker and consulting firm WTW, stated that chief financial officers are increasingly partnering with human resource executives to manage rising healthcare costs. This collaboration is occurring as employer costs for workers' healthcare benefits are expected to rise by 11.1% in 2027, according to Stawicki. The consulting firm Marsh is projecting an 8.2% increase in employer-sponsored health insurance costs for the same year, which represents the largest annual jump in more than two decades. Stawicki noted that while finance chiefs have not historically been a primary focus on healthcare, they are now leaning in to help manage costs. Companies are looking for ways to redesign leaner healthcare plans for 2027 and 2028 while balancing employee needs with company costs and the need to compete for top talent. Employers are evaluating vendor partners, looking into fraud, waste, and abuse, and exploring alternative plan designs that steer members toward lower-cost or higher-quality providers. Some companies are also considering restricting eligibility, such as through spousal surcharges or waiting periods, to reduce total spending.
Sources
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Finance is ‘leaning in’ to manage healthcare costs, WTW exec says
CFO Dive
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Employer health insurance costs projected to jump 8.2% in 2027
qz.com