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Dental, vision, and mental health coverage expand in Oregon and Washington

Dental participation rose to 97.5 percent in 2026, while mental health coverage increased to 95 percent as employers absorbed projected 2026 healthcare cost growth.

Monday, August 17, 2026 · Written up by our desk · Health Insurance

Employers in Oregon and Washington are expanding parts of their benefits packages rather than dropping health coverage, according to a 2026 Northwest Employee Benefits Survey by the Cascade Employers Association.

The survey found that no Oregon or Washington employer cut health insurance coverage in 2026. It also showed dental participation rising to 97.5 percent from 92 percent a year earlier, vision participation increasing to 95 percent from 88 percent, and mental health coverage climbing to 95 percent from 83 percent.

The coverage gains came despite a challenging cost outlook, with forecasts projecting employer-sponsored healthcare costs to rise between 6.5 percent and 9.5 percent in 2026, the steepest increase in about 15 years. For Northwest employers in the survey, employee-only medical premium contributions were virtually flat year over year.

Insurance Business reports that plan cost pressure prompted trade-offs elsewhere in benefits, including declines in gym membership benefits from 31 percent to 20 percent and stress reduction programs from 18 percent to 13 percent. Meanwhile, the survey noted expansion in telemedicine offerings, which increased from 61 percent to 73 percent, and growth in contraceptive and naturopathic coverage.

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