June 8, 2026

Report shares key insights on benefit trends, employer priorites and challenges

The landscape of employee benefits is changing rapidly, shaped by economic pressures, regulatory changes, and shifting employer and employee expectations. To better understand how organizations are responding, Nova Healthcare Administrators, Inc. conducted the 2026 Employee Benefits Benchmarking Survey, gathering insights from brokers, consultants, and employers across a wide range of industries.

The result is a data-driven look at medical benefit trends, employer priorities, and key challenges facing benefits professionals today.

Self-Funding Continues to Gain Momentum

One of the clearest themes from the survey is the continued shift toward self-funded and level-funded health plans:

• 100% of brokers serve clients with self-funded or level-funded plans – up from 85% in 2025.
• The overall employer market includes 65% self-funded and 35% fully insured.
• More than 85% of broker-reported trends center on cost containment

As healthcare expenses continue to rise, employers are increasingly looking for greater flexibility, transparency, and control over their health plans. The survey findings suggest self-funding is no longer viewed as an alternative strategy for select organizations but is becoming a mainstream approach for employers seeking long-term sustainability.

Employers Are Feeling Pressure

The survey also highlights the growing operational strain employers face when managing employee benefits.

Employers identified controlling healthcare costs as both their top pain point and top strategic priority. At the same time, many organizations are expected to navigate increasingly complex benefits decisions with lean HR and administrative teams.

This growing complexity is reinforcing the importance of trusted broker and third-party administrator (TPA) partnerships that can provide guidance, data insights, and strategic support.

Why the Benchmarking Report Matters

The 2026 Employee Benefits Broker Benchmarking Report offers a deeper look into:

• The benefits employers are prioritizing
• The biggest challenges brokers can help clients solve
• How organizations are adapting benefits strategies in a changing market

For brokers, consultants, and employers alike, the report provides valuable benchmarking data to compare strategies, identify emerging trends, and better understand where the market is heading.

The 2026 Employee Benefits Benchmarking Report underscores the evolving challenges and opportunities in employee benefits. As costs rise and workforce expectations shift, brokers, employers, and TPAs must work together to create customized, cost-effective, and employee-friendly benefit solutions.

Download our exclusive report to see how your strategy compares and where you can gain an edge. Read the full report here.