Core Insights - The 2026 Brown & Brown Employer Health and Benefits Strategy Survey reveals a benefits landscape influenced by rising costs, evolving workforce needs, and a focus on innovation and sustainability [1] Group 1: Cost Containment Strategies - Employers have prioritized cost-containment due to escalating medical and pharmacy costs, shifting from attracting and retaining a competitive workforce as their top priority in 2025 [2] - Popular cost-containment initiatives include evaluating stop-loss plan design, conducting audits, and partnering with digital health solutions to enhance plan transparency and effectiveness [2] Group 2: Employee Well-Being Initiatives - A significant majority (77%) of employers incorporate well-being programs into their healthcare strategies, with 78% planning to increase related budgets [3] - Parental leave enhancements are increasing, with 71% of employers offering paid leave beyond statutory requirements [3] Group 3: Challenges with GLP-1 Drug Coverage - Nearly half (48%) of employers cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, with 89% of this group planning to continue coverage in the next one to two years [4] - Over 60% of employers covering GLP-1s have restrictions in place, with 49% requiring clinical criteria beyond FDA guidelines [4] Group 4: Survey Methodology - The survey gathered responses from 1,241 employers with at least 200 employees in the US, conducted from July 31 to September 5, 2025, with a margin of error of +/-3% [5]