Health Issues Are Starting Earlier in the Workforce. Here’s How Employers Can Respond
by Patty Starr and Craig Kurtzweil
Employer health benefits costs are rising faster than inflation and wage growth, putting continued pressure on employersponsored plans. According to KFF’s 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey, peremployee benefit costs increased 6% in 2025, with another 6.5% increase projected for 2026, according to the 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey by KFF.
New research from the Health Action Council, a nonprofit employer coalition, and UnitedHealthcare show that serious health conditions are appearing earlier in life, particularly among younger employees. The analysis, which analyzed data from more than 225,000 HAC members with UnitedHealthcare plans, found the following:
Healthcare claims for younger adults are increasing. While millennials and Gen Z still have lower overall healthcare spending than older generations, their claims are rising at a much faster pace. Between 2023 and 2025, their yearoveryear growth rate was nearly double that of baby boomers. At the same time, younger adults are developing chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity earlier in life, visiting emergency rooms more frequently, and engaging with primary care providers less often than any other generation.
Major health events are becoming more common. Major health events — defined as medical claims exceeding $100,000 annually — are now about twice as common as they were five years ago. Average monthly claims for these events, including heart attacks, strokes, complex surgeries, and highcost conditions such as cancer or genetic disorders, have increased nearly 40% since 2020.
Metabolic conditions are driving higher longterm risk and cost. Metabolic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are closely linked to more serious health events over time. Men, in particular, often delay preventive care well into midlife, increasing the likelihood that these conditions go undetected or unmanaged. According to the report, men with metabolic conditions are seven times more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke or other major health event than men without these conditions. When these events occur, healthcare spending rises sharply, with claims reaching up to 150% higher for men in their 40s and nearly 160% higher for those over age 65.
What This Means for Employers
Taken together, these trends show that health issues that once showed up later in life are now affecting employees earlier in their careers, and the financial impact is already being felt in employer health plans.
Three Steps Employers Can Take
• Design benefits and communications that reflect how younger employees use care, including virtual and digital entry points.
• Make primary care easier to access by lowering barriers such as cost, appointment availability, and time away from work.
• Encourage preventive care and routine screenings, with a particular focus on men and employees at risk for metabolic conditions.
Data-driven strategies can help make a meaningful difference. Since 2021, employers participating in Health Action Council initiatives have outperformed the PwC industry trend — reported in PwC’s Health Research Institute medical cost trends, 20092025 — by more than 12%, resulting in $292 million in paid claims savings. These results underscore the value of identifying risks earlier and supporting employees before health issues become more serious.
Editor’s note: To learn more, access the white paper for strategies to help improve workforce health engagement and affordability. healthactioncouncil.org/media/vjrdbigx/2026-hac-white-paper.pdf
Patty Starr is president and CEO at Health Action Council, and Craig Kurtzweil is chief data and analytics officer at UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual.
Associations & Government
Many associations and government healthcare services give specific information on policies, open enrollment dates and services provided that may help employers understand the many options. Below is a list of local organizations.
Arizona Dental Association
3193 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale (480) 344-5777
azda.org
Arizona Foundation for Medical Care
19420 N. 59th Ave., Suite B221, Glendale (602) 252-4042
azfmc.com
Arizona Health Care Association
3003 N. Central Ave., Suite 860, Phoenix (602) 265-5331
azhca.org
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) 150 N. 18th Ave., Phoenix (602) 417-4000
azahcccs.gov
Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1450, Phoenix (602) 445-4300
azhha.org
Arizona Medical Association
2401 W. Peoria Ave., Suite 315, Phoenix (602) 347-6900
azmed.org
Arizona Pharmacy Association
1845 E. Southern Ave., Tempe (480) 838-3385
azpharmacy.org
Maricopa County Medical Society
326 E. Coronado Rd., Suite 101, Phoenix (602) 209-9867
mcmsonline.com
Employee Benefits Consultants
Using a consultant to work though options and the many plans can alleviate much of the confusion surrounding healthcare these days. We have included a list of brokers and firms that are reputable and have a tremendous amount of experience working with business to provide plans and ensure compliance.
Arizona Benefit Consultants, LLC
4222 E. Thomas Rd., Suite 225, Phoenix (602) 956-5515
arizonabenefitconsultants.com
Benefit Commerce Group - An Alera Group Company
16220 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 100, Scottsdale (480) 515-5010
benefitscommerce.com
Blue Water Benefits Consulting
7848 E. Davenport Dr., Scottsdale (480) 313-0910
employeebenefitcompliance.com
Breslau Insurance & Benefits
Paul Breslau
8362 E. Via de Risa, Scottsdale (602) 692-6832
breslauinsurance.com
Connect Benefits
1818 E. Southern Ave., Mesa (480) 985-2555
connect-benefits.com
Marsh McLennan Agency
8605 E. Raintree Dr., Suite 200, Scottsdale (602) 956-2250
marshmma.com
FBC Services, Inc.
7639 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Unit 100, Scottsdale (602) 277-8477
fbcserv.com
Focus Benefits Group
11022 S. 51st St., Suite 104, Phoenix (602) 381-9900
focusbenefits.com
Horizon Benefits Group
6245 N. 24th Pkwy., Suite 201, Phoenix (602) 957-3755
horizonbenefits.com
Strunk Insurance Group, Inc.
14425 N. 7th St., Suite 102, Phoenix (602) 978-4414 strunkgroup.com
Dental Insurance
Getting the right coverage means truly investigating the best plans and supplemental plans. Here is a list of area companies offering dental insurance that have a great reputation and plan options for individuals and groups.
American Dental Plan
P.O. Box 13254, Scottsdale (602) 265-6677 arizdental.com
Breslau Insurance & Benefits
Paul Breslau
8362 E. Via de Risa, Scottsdale (602) 692-6832
breslauinsurance.com
Delta Dental of Arizona
14850 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 400, Scottsdale (602) 938-3131 deltadentalaz.com
Matsock & Associates
2400 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle, Phoenix (602) 955-0200 matsock.com
Individual & Group Health Insurance
Knowing what plan is right for your employees and understanding who is managing that plan can make all the difference for your company. We have included below a list of reputable and experienced insurance companies, many of which you will be familiar with, that can guide your organization to the perfect group or individual plans.
Amenda Insurance Associates
2304 W. Blue Sky Dr., Phoenix (480) 284-6400 amendainsurance.com
American Family Insurance
Multiple agents Valley-wide (877) 777-4804 amfam.com
Banner Aetna (800) 381-6789 banneraetna.com
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
2444 W. Las Palmaritas Dr., Phoenix (602) 864-4899 azblue.com
Bowman & Associates 16042 N. 32nd St., Bldg. A, Phoenix (602) 482-3300
bowmaninsurance.com
Breslau Insurance & Benefits
Paul Breslau 8362 E. Via de Risa, Scottsdale (602) 692-6832 breslauinsurance.com
Cigna
Multiple locations Valley-wide cigna.com
Glass Financial Group 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 260D, Phoenix (602) 952-1202 glassfinancialgroup.com
HealthNet
1230 W. Washington St., Suite 401, Tempe (602) 286-9194 healthnet.com
Humana Health Insurance of Phoenix
20860 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 400, Phoenix (480) 515-6400 humana.com
Reseco Insurance Advisors
Todd Newton 7901 N. 16th St., Suite 100, Phoenix (602) 753-4250 resecoadvisors.com
State Farm Arizona
Multiple agents Valley-wide (877) 331-8261 statefarm.com
UnitedHealthcare
1 E. Washington St., Suite 1700, Phoenix (800) 985-2356 uhc.com
Hospitals
Many of the healthcare providers listed below are part of specific networks or have created their own network to lower costs for businesses and individuals with the intent to provide all needed services for the patient.
Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital
1930 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix (602) 532-1000 abrazohealth.com
Abrazo Arrowhead Campus 18701 N. 67th Ave., Glendale (623) 561-1000 arrowheadhospital.org
Abrazo Central Campus
2000 W. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix (602) 249-0212 phoenixbaptisthospital.com
Abrazo Scottsdale Campus
3929 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix (602) 923-5000
paradisevalleyhospital.com
Banner Baywood Medical Center
6644 E. Baywood Ave., Mesa (480) 321-2000
bannerhealth.com/baywood
Banner Boswell Medical Center
10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City (623) 832-4000
bannerhealth.com/boswell
Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center
14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West (623) 524-4000
bannerhealth.com
Banner Desert Medical Center
1400 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa (480) 412-3000
bannerhealth.com/desert
Banner Estrella Medical Center 9201 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix (623) 327-4000
bannerhealth.com
Banner Gateway Medical Center 1900 N. Higley Rd., Gilbert (480) 543-2000
bannerhealth.com
Banner Heart Hospital
6750 E. Baywood Ave., Mesa (480) 854-5000
bannerhealth.com
Banner Ironwood Medical Center
37000 N. Gantzel Rd., San Tan Valley (480) 394-4000
bannerhealth.com/ironwood
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
2946 E. Banner Gateway Dr., Gilbert (480) 256-6444
bannerhealth.com »
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
5555 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale (602) 865-5555 bannerhealth.com
Banner Children’s at Desert 1400 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa (480) 412-5437 bannerhealth.com
Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix 1111 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix (602) 839-2000 bannerhealth.com
City of Hope Cancer Center Phoenix
14200 W. Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear (623) 207-3000 cancercenter.com
Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center
1955 W. Frye Rd., Chandler (480) 728-3000 chandlerregional.org
Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
3555 S. Val Vista Dr., Gilbert (480) 728-8000 mercygilbert.org
Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center
350 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix (602) 406-3000 stjosephs-phx.org
East Valley ER & Hospital
5656 S. Power Rd., Gilbert (602) 830-4911 eastvalleyhospital.com
HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center
19829 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix (623) 879-6100 honorhealth.com
HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center
250 E. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix (602) 943-2381 honorhealth.com
HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center 7400 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale (480) 882-4000 honorhealth.com
HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center
9003 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale (480) 323-3000 honorhealth.com
Weight Loss Program
Decreased appetite and cravings
Weight Loss & inches Lost
Improved blood glucose control
Higher energy levels
Cardiovascular benefits
Improved metabolic abnormalities
Healthcare Solutions Centers Clinic 4831 N. 11th Street Phoenix, AZ 85014
Phone | 602.424.2101 Email | Info@hcsonsite.com
HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center
1301 S. Crismon Rd., Mesa (480) 358-6100 honorhealth.com
Mayo Clinic Hospital
5777 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix (480) 515-6296 mayoclinic.org
Phoenix Children’s
1919 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix (602) 933-1000 phoenixchildrens.org
St. Luke’s Medical Center
1800 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix (602) 251-8100 stlukesmedicalcenter.com
Valleywise Health Medical Center
2601 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix (602) 344-5011 valleywisehealth.org
Urgent Care
Walk-in, face-to-face, brick-and-mortar urgent care facilities remain an important element in the healthcare system, even as virtual options expand.
HonorHealth Urgent Care
Multiple Valley locations (623) 580-5800 honorhealth.com/medical-services/urgent-care
NextCare Urgent Care
Multiple Valley locations (888) 958-2128 nextcare.com
Phoenix Children’s Urgent Care 4 Valley locations (480) 922-5437 phoenixchildrens.com/urgent-care
Workplace Bundled Health Programs
In focusing on creating the perfect plan for your company, local providers offer direct benefits that your organization may rely on to ensure a strong healthcare program and policies for your employees.
Arrowhead Health Centers
Multiple locations (623) 334-4000
arrowheadhealth.com
Workplace Ergonomics
Wellness includes how our bodies function in our work spaces, and is therefore greatly impacted by the physical elements of that space. These businesses provide solutions, from chairs to desks to lighting — and beyond.
Ergoguys Products
5622 W. Orchid Ln., Chandler (602) 354-4190
ergoguys.com
ESI Ergonomic Solutions
4030 E. Quenton Dr., Suite 101, Mesa (480) 517-1871
esiergo.com
Goodmans Interior Structures
1400 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix (602) 263-1110
goodmansinc.com
Workplace Wellness
There are many companies working to orchestrate alternative healthcare plans and consulting to customize healthcare benefits programs and policies for companies. These organizations below offer consulting, program development and direct care programs for businesses of all sizes.
Absolute Health
8360 E. Raintree Dr., Suite 135, Scottsdale (480) 991-9945
absolutehealthaz.com
Healthcare Solutions Centers
4831 N. 11th St., Phoenix (602) 424-2101
hcsonsite.com
LifeCore Group
P.O. Box 10264, Glendale (602) 235-2800
lifecoregroup.com
Attract
Retain