Here’s yet another price hike Americans will soon have to bear

(CNN) — Brace yourselves, workers. Your health insurance at the job could cost you a lot more in 2026.

Although overall inflation is more muted than a few years ago, employers are preparing for the steepest increase in health benefit costs in 15 years, according to Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, released Thursday.

That means many employees will have to shell out more for health care from their paychecks and when they go to the doctor – adding to the financial squeeze many consumers are already feeling from stubbornly high consumer prices that could soon jump even more as President Donald Trump’s tariffs kick in.

Workers can expect to shell out an additional 6% to 7% in premiums, on average, according to Mercer. Some companies will try to limit the increas