The Mid-Year Pivot: Rethinking Your Benefits Strategy Before You Finalize 2027

Halfway through 2026, employers are getting their first real look at the year's medical trend, and for many it is landing higher than they budgeted. With 2027 renewals already arriving, the window to change course before January is narrow, but it is still open.

In this session, Nick Albert, VP of Strategic Alliances at Garner, is joined by Larry Chim, Senior Vice President at Alliant, and Kristoffer Osea, Senior Vice President at Lockton, for a look at how brokers are helping clients respond. You'll hear which four cost drivers are pushing trend toward a 17-year high, why raising deductibles no longer works as a fallback, and what real claims data on surgeon prices and complication rates reveals about the link between cost and quality. Kristoffer also shares how two of his clients added Garner with September and October decision dates and what their first-year engagement looked like.

You'll leave with a clearer read on where 2026 costs are landing, a sharper view of what is still adjustable for 1/1/27, and the data and framing to make the case with clients and leadership.