As open enrollment approaches, a variety of factors — including pricey GLP-1 weight-loss drugs — are poised to push already expensive premiums for employer-sponsored healthcare even higher in 2026, a new report says. 

“There is a quiet alarm bell going off. With GLP-1s, increases in hospital prices, tariffs and other factors, we expect employer premiums to rise more sharply next year,” said Drew Altman, the president and chief executive of health-policy think tank KFF, which published the report Wednesday.