CBIZ Report Highlights Rising Costs: Surge in Inpatient and Outpatient Expenses, Popular GLP-1 Drugs like Ozempic Drive Pharmacy Spend Increase

May 20, 2025 at 09:00 AM EDT

New CBIZ State of Healthcare Report Reveals Cost Increases, Significant Impact of GLP-1 Drugs on Pharmacy Spend, and Regulatory Changes Expanding Employee Protections and Accessibility

CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE: CBZ), a leading national professional services advisor, announced the release of its 2025 State of Healthcare Report. The report provides a data-driven look at trends affecting employer-sponsored healthcare and the strategies organizations are using to stay competitive.

Now, more than ever, employers face increased pressure to balance affordability with employee wellbeing as healthcare costs continue to rise. The State of Healthcare Report draws on CBIZ’s proprietary data from more than 290,000 plan members, delivering insights into care delivery, cost containment, and regulatory compliance.

Key insights from the report:

Healthcare costs continue to rise, with CBIZ data finding that cost per visit for inpatient, outpatient, and professional care increased from 2022 to 2024.
CBIZ data shows that GLP-1s are a significant cost driver in employers’ pharmacy spend. GLP-1 spend as a percentage of overall pharmacy spend has increased from 9% in 2022 to 17% in 2024. This trend is expected to continue as these medications grow in popularity.
Ongoing regulatory changes, specifically those occurring at the state level, are shifting employer-sponsored healthcare. Many of these regulations expand protections and accessibility for employees, and employers must continue to monitor relevant legislation to maintain compliance.

“Healthcare has never been more complex than it is right now,” said Cole Harris, Business Unit President, National Practice Leader for Health Innovations. “The report is designed to give employers real data-driven insights and forward-looking guidance to navigate our increasingly complex environment.”

The State of Healthcare Report provides a high-level overview of emerging risks and opportunities, featuring analysis from our experts on how to proactively tackle these challenges through data, innovation, and smarter benefits design.

To download the full report, visit 2025 State of Healthcare Report

About CBIZ

CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE: CBZ) is a leading professional services advisor to middle market businesses and organizations nationwide. With unmatched industry knowledge and expertise in accounting, tax, advisory, benefits, insurance, and technology, CBIZ delivers forward-thinking insights and actionable solutions to help clients anticipate what's next and discover new ways to accelerate growth. CBIZ has more than 10,000 team members across more than 160 locations in 22 major markets coast to coast. For more information, visit www.cbiz.com.