February 04, 2026
Content sponsored by
Provided Courtesy/IBX
Dr. Richard Snyder, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Independence Blue Cross
Health care costs are weighing heavily on everyday Americans and their families. Across the country, more people are seeking health care and prices for medical care and prescriptions continue to rise. As a result, health insurers are increasing premiums to keep up. At the same time, employer provided health coverage is eating into paychecks. All of this is making it more difficult for hardworking Americans to afford the coverage and care they deserve.
These rising costs aren’t just numbers. They affect real people every day. Since 2000, medical care prices in the United States have increased 40% faster than everyday expenses like groceries and gas. Nearly four out of ten Americans have put off seeing a doctor because of the cost. Three out of ten people have cut pills in half, skipped doses, or chosen over-the-counter medicine instead of their prescriptions to save money.
These are tough choices no one should have to make for themselves or their families. Delaying care and not taking medications needed to control chronic conditions can lead to more serious complications. For example, failing to control high blood pressure can result in heart attack or stroke.
At Independence Blue Cross (IBX), we’re seeing these same challenges play out right here in the Philadelphia area. Hospital stays went up nearly 20% in late 2024, and outpatient surgeries and cancer-related tests rose over 25%. Prescription drug costs grew 15%, consistent with the sharp increases seen nationwide. These pressures, plus changes in federal support that many rely on to help pay for insurance, are making it more expensive to provide the quality coverage people need and deserve.
Even with these challenges, IBX remains focused on Getting Health Care Right. That means keeping you at the center of every decision as we strive to make your health coverage affordable and easier to use. Over the past several years, we have consistently worked to keep our rate increases as low as possible. We’ve also developed programs that reward providers for better health outcomes, reduce waste and promote fairness. IBX is also leveraging technology and innovation to simplify your experience and remove barriers that can prevent access to and improve the quality of your care. From strategic partnerships that streamline prior authorization and make it easy to find lower cost prescriptions to digital integration tools that strengthen data sharing between providers to enhance care coordination, we’re making smart investments to help members navigate today’s complex and often fragmented health care system.
For 2026, we must seek higher rate increases to keep our system stable and reliable for our members. Despite this, please know that our promise to you stays the same. We’ll continue offering a range of plans to fit different budgets and needs. Transparency is at the heart of everything we do, and we are here to help you understand any changes and make informed decisions about your health care.
As your hometown insurer, IBX is dedicated to standing up for you: pushing for solutions that put your needs first; helping keep costs down; and ensuring your health care is there for you where and when you need it for years to come. We will keep fighting for choices that are fair, affordable, and sustainable. We’re committed to Getting Health Care Right, so together we can build a healthier future for us all.
Please continue to visit Getting Health Care Right for the latest information on how IBX is working to best support our members.
This content was originally published on IBX Newsroom.
