Your health insurance costs are rising at the highest level since 2010. Here's why.

Working-age Americans who get health insurance through their jobs will soon confront an unpleasant fact – the largest health insurance rate increases since 2010.

A survey of more than 1,700 employers revealed cost per employee was on pace to increase an average of nearly 9% in 2026, according to benefits consultant Mercer. Another report from consultant Aon projected employer health costs would rise 9.5% next year.

Most working-age Americans get their health insurance through the workplace, and employers pay the bulk of the tab. Employers in recent years have tried to shield employees from rising insurance costs, said Beth Umland, Mercer’s director of research for health and benefits.

But with costs expected to rise at the fastest level in a decade and a half, "this might be a little bit of a catchup year," Umland said, with a majority of employers expected to shift costs to workers.

The Mercer survey said 6 in 10 employers will seek to shift escalating health care costs to workers through higher deductibles and copayments.