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Cost management

Employer medical costs are set to climb 8.5% in 2026¹ – a surge is fueled by regulatory changes, an aging workforce and a rise in chronic conditions. Additionally, the growing use of costly specialty drugs and more frequent catastrophic claims, along with increased behavioral health needs, are contributing to higher expenses.² To tackle these challenges, employers may want to consider adopting a strategic, comprehensive approach to cost management that aims to reduce health care spending without sacrificing the quality of the benefits offered.

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Managing cost trend while delivering on quality

Video transcript

A blue U with three stripes appears on the screen. It starts to wiggle and moves offscreen to reveal a video montage of everyday people in different working scenarios. A female announcer is speaking. Music plays throughout.

ANNOUNCER: Employers today are dealing with economic challenges and increasing healthcare expenses, which may be impacting them and their workforce. A strategic approach to cost management can be a game changer.

The video cuts to an animation of three different colored folders. The folders move to the left of the screen to reveal white text. The female announcer continues speaking.

ON SCREEN TEXT: Upfront cost information; Cost-effective care; Reduce out-of-pocket costs

ANNOUNCER: At UnitedHealthcare, this includes health plan designs built to provide upfront cost information, encourage more cost-effective care, and reduce out-of-pocket costs for employees.

For instance, with the Surest plan, members can view and compare co-pays in advance without having to worry about deductibles and coinsurance.

As a result, Surest members tend to choose low-cost, high-value options more often, delivering savings for both employers and employees.

ANNOUNCER: Many UnitedHealthcare plans are paired with a broad national network of healthcare providers and facilities, including providers recognized for delivering high-value care.

ANNOUNCER: Focusing on effective prevention and management of chronic conditions with clinical and care management programs is an important strategy too as chronic conditions can account for a significant portion of employers' total healthcare spend.

ANNOUNCER: Targeted support may help drive more informed healthcare decisions, reduce complications, and cut associated costs.

ANNOUNCER: No cost management strategy is complete without solutions designed to help reduce wasteful spending.

ANNOUNCER: With almost 25 percent of healthcare spending considered wasteful or unnecessary, payment integrity solutions that are designed to help ensure employers and employees are only paying for care and services rendered can make a big difference.

ANNOUNCER: At UnitedHealthcare, we look beyond network discounts alone and take a more strategic approach which delivered a lower total cost of care compared to others in the market.

ANNOUNCER: It's not just about cutting costs; it's about protecting employers' financial goals and meeting employees' health needs and budgets.

Talk to your broker, consultant or UnitedHealthcare representative to learn more.

© 2026 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Health plan and networks designed to help make quality care more affordable

Understanding and recommending the right medical plan and network configuration for your clients can help ensure their organization and employees get the most out of their health insurance, at the lowest possible cost. From fully insured, level funded and self-funded medical plans to a wide variety of network configurations, UnitedHealthcare has options that meet just about every employer’s needs

Explore UnitedHealthcare medical plan and network options

Care and clinical management programs aimed at supporting better health outcomes and lower costs

The prevalence of complex and chronic conditions — and the costs that accompany them — demands clinical and care management programs built to help your clients’ employees navigate their care journey. Targeted clinical and care management programs can help deliver more efficient and cost-effective care, improve health outcomes and ultimately reduce costs.

Explore UnitedHealthcare care management and clinical programs

Solutions designed to protect members’ dollars

UnitedHealthcare ultimately pays 98% of all claims received for eligible members as long as the claims are submitted in a timely manner, do not contain missing or incorrect information and are not duplicate submissions.² We are also committed to ensuring members are paying for the care rendered. Our payment integrity solutions are designed to help resolve claims issues before a member has to pay for care, potentially saving money for employers and employees.

Learn what makes UnitedHealthcare payment integrity solutions the ''most thorough'' in the market (pdf)

See more cost management news and strategies

Footnotes

No let up in sight. Medical cost trend set to grow at 8.5%. Is your playbook ready? PwC, July 16, 2025. Available: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/behind-the-numbers.html
Cox, C. et al. Health Care Costs and Affordability. Kaiser Family Foundation, May 28, 2024. Available: https://www.kff.org/health-policy-101-health-care-costs-and-affordability/?entry=table-of-contents-introduction

Disclaimer

Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates.

Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.

Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates, and UnitedHealthcare Service LLC in NY. Stop-loss insurance is underwritten by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or their affiliates, including UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company in NJ, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York in NY.