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Benefits consulting

Managing health benefit cost: A practical guide for employers across the globe 

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Health benefit costs are rising, with medical trend forecast to exceed 11% globally in 2026, but cutting benefits is not the only answer. 

This guidebook helps HR, Benefits and Total Rewards leaders take a more strategic approach — one that controls cost, protects employee value and reflects local market realities.

To address health benefit cost challenges, focus on three key steps:

  • Align benefits to strategy:
    Define philosophy before redesigning. Measure trade-offs before cutting.
  • Optimize operations and financing: 
    Right-size financing (fully insured vs. self-insured), eliminate vendor duplication, simplify administration.
  • Improve outcomes: 
    Shift to prevention and early intervention. Connect employees to appropriate care.
Managing health benefit cost:

A practical guide for employers across the globe

The guidebook provides a practical path forward. Cost pressures are structural, not cyclical. Five priorities will help you move from reacting to ready.
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How can you use the guidebook?

This guidebook is designed for global, regional and local leaders who need real-world evidence-based guidance they can apply across markets. It shows how data, governance and clear communication can help turn insight into action.

You’ll receive: 

  • A practical framework for a more effective health benefit cost management strategy
  • Actionable cost management strategies to better preserve the value of benefits, covering plan design, vendor management, financing and workforce health investment

Are you ready to take the next step?

Discuss the pressures affecting your benefits program and the practical options available to manage cost more effectively. 

If you are responsible for benefits strategy, cost containment or workforce well-being, this guidebook will help you:

  • Unlock immediate savings through better spending
  • Make smarter, long-term cost management decisions 
  • Identify where to act now
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      Guidebook FAQs

      The Managing health benefit cost: A practical guide for employers is a critical resource for employers who require real-world evidence-based guidance around managing health benefit cost that they can apply across markets. It shows how data, governance and clear communication can help turn insight into action. It is an essential resource for those involved in the growth and success of their business, helping to inform decision-making around managing cost more effectively.

      The Managing Health Benefit Cost guidebook is a resource for HR, Benefits and Total Rewards professionals with responsibility for managing benefits strategy, cost containment or workforce well-being. It is of relevance to Global, regional and local leaders, as well as those in more traditional Claims, Insurance, Human Resource (HR), Benefits, Total Rewards, Well-being roles where managing benefit cost is key.

      This guidebook equips HR, Benefits and Total Rewards functions with actionable insights needed to unlock immediate savings through more effective spending; steers them to make smarter, long-term cost management decisions; and help them to identify where best to act now. 

      The Managing health benefit cost: A practical guide for employers report provides Risk and Human Resource (HR) professionals, and those responsible for benefits strategy, cost containment or workforce well-being, move from reactive budgeting to active, evidence-based management to achieve a sustainable approach. This guidebook will help you sharpen your priorities and identify where to act next.