Suze Orman: Higher Health Costs May Show Up in Deductibles, Not Just Premiums
Suze Orman is warning workers to prepare for higher health insurance costs next year. Employers expect health benefit costs to rise 8% in 2027, and the increase may hit workers through higher deductibles or other out-of-pocket costs rather than premiums alone. She advises comparing the premium, deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket cap before open enrollment ends.
Orman’s warning centers on a Mercer survey showing employers anticipate an 8% increase in health benefit costs for 2027. That pressure may be passed to workers through higher deductibles or other out-of-pocket expenses, even if paycheck premiums stay unchanged. She urges employees not to assume their current plan will function the same way next year.
For single coverage, Orman cites an average deductible of $1,886 in 2025, a 17% rise over five years; smaller employers average above $2,600. She also compares an $8,000 outpatient procedure under two plans, where one leaves a worker paying $680 more for identical care before premiums.
Workers with employer-sponsored coverage could feel this shift most, especially those with modest savings or regular medical needs. If costs move into deductibles and out-of-pocket limits, some may delay care, borrow, or struggle with bills even when premiums look stable. Smaller firms and their employees may face sharper pressure, while people with low usage might notice less. The broader effect may be greater financial uncertainty around open enrollment and household budgeting.