More than 400 business leaders, HR professionals, and C-suite executives gathered at the Arizona Biltmore for the 12th Annual Arizona Employee Benefits Benchmarking, Healthcare & HR Symposium, hosted by Benefit Commerce Group , an Alera Group company.
The symposium unveiled the results of BCG’s 2025 Arizona Employee Benefits Benchmarking Survey, which highlights local and national data trends in employer-sponsored healthcare for mid-size companies (10–5,000 employees). This year’s survey captured responses from over 500 Arizona employers, representing 138,000 employees and more than $2.2 billion in healthcare spending. Nationally, the survey represents nearly 7,000 employers, 2 million employees and over $31.2 billion in healthcare spending.
“This event has evolved beyond benchmarking alone. It’s now one of the region’s most comprehensive forums for healthcare, HR, and benefits strategy,” said Scott Wood, Managing Partner and Principal of BCG. “Employers leave this event with not just data, but real, implementable strategies to reduce costs, improve healthcare, and build resilient workplaces.”
Key Findings from the 2025 Arizona Survey
While median deductibles in Arizona are higher than national medians, out-of-pocket maximums are about even with national medians, and premiums for employees and families are lower than national medians.
Traditional Copay Medical Plans in Arizona
- Median deductible: $3,000 (vs. national median of $2,000)
- Out-of-pocket maximum: $6,500 (vs. national median of $6,250)
- Employee-only premium: $601 (vs. $744 nationally)
- Family premium: $1,873 (vs. $2,243 nationally)
High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) in Arizona
- Median deductible: $4,000 (vs. national median of $3,300)
- Out-of-pocket maximum: $6,250 (vs. national median of $6,100)
- Employee-only premium: $536 (vs. $661 nationally)
- Family premium: $1,620 (vs. $1,954 nationally)
- HSA employer contribution: $750 for employee vs. $760 (national)
“Employers are navigating employee demand for more predictable copay plans while still controlling rising costs,” said Chris Hogan, Executive Vice President and Principal at BCG.
“We’ve developed exclusive, quality-driven benefit models that are improving care outcomes and delivering significant savings. And we’re leading the way with innovative plan designs that prioritize outcomes, not just access. These are proven strategies delivering measurable value for employers and their teams,” said Hogan.
Market Insights and Expert Employer Panel
Scott Wood opened the day by addressing the real and growing burden on today’s workforce. Average annual employee contributions for family coverage increased 30% from 2014 to 2024, and employer contributions increased 60% for family coverage in that same period.
“Employee benefits are typically the second or third largest expense for most employers right behind payroll. And yet, they’re often one of the least strategically managed. As healthcare costs continue to rise faster than wages, it’s more important than ever for organizations to treat benefits as a critical area for proactive planning, not just an operational necessity,” explained Scott Wood.
The Employer Panel discussions featured prominent Arizona business leaders sharing actionable strategies for supporting multigenerational teams. Panelists included: Simon Beltran, CEO, O’Neil Printing; Keli Greenberg, VP of HR, Castle Biosciences, Inc.; Linn Shaw, CEO, KP Aviation; and Felicia Trejo, VP of People Services, The Aesthetic Syndicate.
Additionally, Tom Kmak, CEO of Fiduciary Decisions, delivered an insightful presentation on the critical role of benchmarking in retirement plan oversight. With increasing regulatory scrutiny and rising expectations from plan participants, Kmak emphasized that employers must take a proactive, data-driven approach to their fiduciary duties.
He explained how comparative benchmarking can help ensure plan competitiveness, support regulatory compliance, and ultimately improve retirement outcomes for employees.
Joe Mechlinski’s Keynote – The AI Productivity Boost: Unlocking Time, Energy & Focus Where It Matters Most
Today’s keynote speaker, Joe Mechlinski, Founder and CEO of SHIFT, delivered an energizing and forward-looking presentation on how artificial intelligence can revolutionize the way we work. A dynamic leader and best-selling author, Mechlinski is driven by a mission to change the way we work to transform how we live.
In his session, “The AI Productivity Boost,” he challenged attendees to move beyond the hype and the hesitancy to use AI as a practical, immediate tool for enhancing leadership, team performance, and organizational growth. Mechlinski emphasized that AI isn’t just a futuristic trend—it’s a strategic lever that leaders can use today to create more efficient, focused, and energized workplaces.
“This isn’t about doing more work faster—it’s about doing the right work better,” Mechlinski said, leaving the audience with actionable takeaways they could implement as soon as they return to the office.
