2026 National SMB Healthcare Cost & Benefits Survey
Help Benchmark How SMBs Manage Rising Healthcare Costs
This SMB healthcare cost survey asks small and medium-sized business leaders how they’re managing rising healthcare costs, evaluating employee benefits, and choosing benefits advisors. It takes about 4 minutes to complete.
Every respondent receives a complimentary copy of the final research report from HR Research Institute and OPOC, with benchmarks you can use to inform your own benefits strategy.
Who should take the survey
Owners, Founders, CEOs, CFOs, and HR leaders at small and midsize businesses who have a hand in health plan decisions. If you sign off on renewals, set the benefits budget, or choose the broker, we want to hear from you.
What we’re asking about
- How you’re managing rising healthcare costs
- How you evaluate the employee benefits you offer
- How you choose and work with a benefits advisor
- Whether you’re getting strategic value from your current benefits provider
Why this research matters
Healthcare costs keep climbing for employers of every size. But a lot of what is researched and published on employer healthcare costs focuses on large companies. Small and midsize businesses face the same increases with fewer resources and less negotiating leverage.
This survey is built to learn what SMB employers are actually experiencing: where costs are hitting hardest, how decisions get made, and what’s working for the companies keeping costs in check.
What you’ll get
A free copy of the full report when it’s published. You’ll see how your costs, benefits decisions, and advisor relationship compare with other SMB employers across the country.
How the findings will be used
OPOC has spent more than 25 years helping small and midsize businesses with health benefits. The findings will show which cost strategies hold up, where benefits advisors fall short, and what business leaders want from the people they trust with one of their biggest expenses.
You’ll get the same insights in the report, so you can pressure-test your own renewal strategy, budget, and advisor relationship before your next plan year.
About the research
The survey is conducted by HR Research Institute, the research arm of HR.com, in partnership with OPOC.