Employer health plan costs will climb another 9% in 2027, according to new PwC projections, marking the highest increase in 17 years.

As costs rise faster than most employer budgets can absorb, the options on the table often feel like a lose-lose: cut benefits that your team needs, or pass costs along to employees when they're already stretched.

Meanwhile, many employees are already struggling to access the care they need; one-third of Americans live in areas with inadequate access to primary care.

One solution that may be missing from your shortlist? Community pharmacies.

Pharmacists do far more than fill prescriptions and give vaccines; they're also trained to provide many of the services employees would normally see a doctor for, including preventive care and screening for cancer and chronic diseases, testing and treatment for common conditions like flu and urinary tract infections, medication therapy management, nutrition education for disease management, and more — and at a lower cost than traditional care settings. Overall return on investment for pharmacist-led healthcare services ranges from $1.29 to $18.50 for every $1 invested.

What's more, 96.5% of Americans live within 10 miles of a pharmacy, and 57% of employees already visit pharmacies at least once a month.

That's why HAA is pleased to share three new resources designed to help employers partner directly with pharmacies to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for their teams:

• Beyond the Script: An Employer's Guide to Unlocking the Value of Pharmacy-Based Services
  A step-by-step playbook for HR and benefits leaders to implement pharmacy-based healthcare services that lower costs, expand access to care, and improve employee health.
• Working With Your Carrier To Cover Pharmacy-Based Health Services
  How to talk to your health plan partner about adding or expanding pharmacy-based services, including what to prepare, what to ask, and how to align on metrics and payment.
• Building Your Employer-Pharmacy Partnership Agreement
  A step-by-step playbook for HR and benefits leaders to implement pharmacy-based healthcare services that lower costs, expand access to care, and improve employee health.

These resources, which build on HAA's 2025 research report, were developed in partnership with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), with insights from pharmacy, population health, and business leaders.

We'd love to hear how these resources are working for you. Reach out to hello@healthaction.org to share feedback, request more information, or explore partnership opportunities.

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