Healthcare costs poised to jump 9% in 2027 as health plans blame AI adoption, drug prices

fiercehealthcare - Health plans are projecting the highest medical cost trend in nearly two decades in 2027 with commercial health costs expected to rise 9%, according to a new analysis from PwC.

AI Summary: Health plans are sounding the alarm that next year's healthcare bills will spike about 9%, blaming rapid AI adoption and rising drug prices for the squeeze. Insurers argue technology-driven utilization and expensive therapies are colliding with fragile margins, pushing premiums and plan costs higher unless payers and providers curb spending or demand price relief.