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Employers say limited claims data slows action on healthcare costs
A 2026 survey of 408 employers found those with full medical and pharmacy claims access used 11.9 high-value purchasing strategies on average, versus 7.9 for employers with limited or no access.
The gap between employers discussing healthcare cost control and actually taking steps comes down to access to their own data, according to a 2026 Pulse of the Purchaser survey released by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions.
The nonprofit, which represents employers providing health benefits to more than 90 million Americans, surveyed 408 employers in May and June 2026. Employers with full access to medical and pharmacy claims data used an average of 11.9 high-value purchasing strategies, while those with limited or no claims access used 7.9, even though both groups were considering similar strategies.
National Alliance president and CEO Shawn Gremminger said employers may have the concern and will to act, but they often lack usable data, contractual rights, and staff capacity. The strategies most likely to produce durable savings include network evaluation, hospital price review, vendor audits, reference-based pricing, direct contracting, and centers of excellence.
Employers also project continued cost pressure, with an average 7.7% healthcare cost increase before plan design changes. The survey found 92% say costs hurt competitiveness, 83% say cost increases trade off directly against wage and salary increases, and 93% expect costs to shift to employees, while top threats include drug prices (77%), high-cost claims (75%), and hospital prices (68%).