Why are employers rethinking benefits in the face of rising prescription costs?
As prescription drug prices continue to rise across the U.S., employers are finding themselves at a crossroads. According to a recent Reuters report, more than 50% of large employers are expected to reduce health benefits by 2026, driven primarily by surging costs of specialty medications—particularly GLP-1 drugs used for weight management and diabetes.
But cutting back on benefits doesn’t have to be the only answer.
The prescription price pressure
The 2024 Segal Health Plan Cost Trend Survey projected an 8% increase in prescription drug price inflation, following years of double-digit hikes. Employers are feeling the squeeze from both brand-name and specialty drug categories, which are eating into healthcare budgets and putting HR teams under pressure to find cost-effective solutions.
GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, while clinically valuable, come with significant costs. As more employees turn to these treatments, the financial burden grows for employers who want to offer inclusive, high-impact healthcare benefits.
Why smart employers are seeking alternatives?
Traditional solutions like pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) often come with layers of complexity, contracts, and administrative overhead. That’s where CompareMedsRx offers a refreshing alternative:
- Zero cost to employers
- No integration or admin lift required
- Instant access to 20+ discount programs
- Works alongside any insurance plan
- Supports employee savings at over 70,000 pharmacies
By simply sharing the CompareMedsRx platform with their teams, employers can empower workers to compare prescription prices and find savings—whether they’re insured or not.
The strategic advantage of Rx transparency
Offering prescription savings tools shows that a company cares about employee wellbeing beyond just paychecks. With rising healthcare expenses leading many workers to skip medications, a tool like CompareMedsRx boosts:
- Medication adherence
- Financial wellness
- Retention and morale
And because it requires no new software or paid memberships, it’s easy to roll out.
Bottom Line: Cut Prescription Costs, Not Benefits
With healthcare inflation continuing to climb, it’s clear that the future of employee benefits lies in smarter, more flexible options. Employers can either reduce coverage—or enhance their benefits stack with no-cost tools that deliver value where it matters most.
Explore how CompareMedsRx can support your benefits strategy today. Because rising costs shouldn’t come at the expense of your people.