Understanding the forces that drove last year's challenges — and how they continue to shape the market — is the starting point for building a stronger renewal strategy.

One of the most controllable drivers of renewal pressure is where infusion therapy care occurs. Explore how pricing varies across major US cities below.

What's driving renewal pressure?

High‑cost claims have surged, underwriting has tightened, and specialty and infusion therapies continue to overall spend. Together, these dynamics created significant renewal challenges, and they remain the key forces today's stop‑loss market.

Let's break down some of the trends financial risk for employers.

Explore infusion therapy price variation across the US

Infusion therapy is one of the biggest cost drivers hiding in plain sight. Prices for the same therapy can vary dramatically across regions, and those differences directly influence high‑cost claim volatility and stop‑loss pressure.

The maps below show how infusion therapy pricing shifts across eight major US cities and why understanding these differences is essential for confident, future‑ready decisions.

“
The cost of infused medications is unsustainable. We have to take every possible action to intervene if we are going to continue to make these life-saving and life-changing therapies available going forward.
Dr. Christine Hale, chief medical officer, Gallagher Health and Benefits

Gallagher Drive® turns data into strategy

Understanding regional pricing variation is powerful, but seeing the numbers is just the start. Gallagher Drive combines market-calibrated benchmarks, predictive insights and scenario planning to help you act, not react. From underwriting prep to specialty drug strategy, our tools and deep consulting expertise can help you understand your options and feel confident with future-ready strategies.

Stop Loss Center of Excellence delivers better renewal outcomes

Gallagher clients using our Stop Loss Center of Excellence saw renewals 5-10 percentage points better than comparable placements outside the Center of Excellence.

Source: Gallagher Sun Life analysis

The stop-loss landscape is complex, but it doesn't have to leave you stuck. With Gallagher Drive and our team of consultants, you move from reactive renewals to proactive strategy, backed by data, insights and confidence for 2026 and beyond.

1Gallagher client self-funded employer claims, 2020-2024; prevalence defined as members with annual allowed claims >$1M.

2Gallagher BoB results for ISL and ASL renewals; compares trimmed average increases for 1/1/2025 vs. 1/1/2026 renewals.

3Gallagher client specialty drug pricing analysis across major US metros; variation defined as the ratio of 90th to 10th percentile per‑infusion prices.