Mercer’s latest Survey on Health and Benefits Strategy 2026, confirms what many plan sponsors already feel. Healthcare costs are accelerating faster than inflation, and prescription drug spending is rising even faster than medical costs. Employers expect a 5.8% jump in total health benefit cost per employee in 2025, with prescription drug costs increasing by 8%, primarily fueled by high-cost specialty drugs and the explosive growth of GLP-1 medications.
Employers are facing difficult choices. Cost-sharing, plan design changes, and tighter controls are all on the table. But as fiduciary pressure mounts, the most forward-looking employers are investing in tools that preserve affordability without adding complexity or risk. That’s where RazorMetrics comes in.
GLP-1s Are Just the Start
GLP-1 medications are the top pharmacy benefit issue for 2026, according to 77% of employers. Demand is rising rapidly, but costs are high, and most plans are racing to catch up with utilization.
Many are adding prior authorization and narrowing prescribing networks. These are unpopular steps, and they don’t solve the broader challenge of managing pharmacy costs at scale.
RazorMetrics helps physicians identify clinically appropriate, lower-cost alternatives specifically for their patients. This approach protects member access, supports physician autonomy, and reduces waste across the board.
Pharmacy Transparency Is No Longer Optional
Employers are under pressure to demonstrate fiduciary responsibility. More than 40% are evaluating new PBM contracts or considering modular approaches. Another 43% are working to obtain real RxDC data (Prescription Drug Data Collection) to better understand what they are really paying for.
RazorMetrics helps fill this transparency gap. Our data-driven solution works within the normal clinic workflow, delivering targeted, physician-approved switches that drive measurable savings for plan sponsors and members alike.
Affordability Requires More Than Plan Design
Employers are exploring new strategies to support affordability. Some are offering free employee-only coverage or increasing HSA contributions for low earners. Others are piloting copay-based plans that make care more predictable and accessible.
What all of these strategies have in common is a need to control pharmacy costs without undermining access. RazorMetrics helps by guiding prescribers toward safe, lower-cost medications that align with both clinical and cost-effectiveness standards.
Specialty Drugs and Gene Therapies Require a New Playbook
Gene and cell therapies now pose a significant financial risk. Most self-funded employers rely on traditional stop-loss insurance, but many are beginning to reassess how they manage this exposure.
RazorMetrics offers early alerts and deprescribing strategies that help mitigate unnecessary or duplicative drug costs. We also support biosimilar adoption and therapeutic substitutions for specialty medications, areas where savings can be substantial.
Building for the Future
Employers are also preparing for what’s next. From integrating AI into benefits navigation to planning for the impact of extreme weather on employee health, the benefits landscape continues to change rapidly.
RazorMetrics is ready. Our platform supports smarter prescribing decisions today, while giving plan sponsors the data and flexibility they need to adapt to tomorrow’s needs.
A Better Way
Pharmacy costs are no longer a line item. They are a strategic priority. As plans look to preserve affordability, ensure compliance, and support their workforce, physician-directed prescribing is a powerful tool.
RazorMetrics delivers value without disruption. It works within existing systems, supports provider trust, and helps members get the medications they need at a price that makes sense.
Get started with RazorMetrics today.
