Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health will invest $1.24 billion more in its employees in 2027, according to a Nov. 5 news release shared with Becker’s.
Approximately $846 million of the investment will go toward additional compensation, including merit increases, pay structure adjustments and eligible base-pay increases to keep pay competitive, strengthen workforce stability and support career growth.
Another $390 million will go toward incremental benefits, building on $1.9 billion in health coverage and $840 million in retirement benefits and programs that support employee physical, emotional and financial well-being. Advocate’s total benefits commitment will be $3.2 billion.
Advocate is also introducing four weeks of fully paid parental bonding leave, expanding its paid bereavement leave and covering the majority of rising healthcare costs to keep coverage affordable for employees and their families.
Advocate has paid approximately 83% of total medical costs, with employees paying the remainder through premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. The system will also invest an additional $138 million in 2027, taking on more than 90% of the projected $149 million increase in medical plan costs. Its coinsurance, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and most copays will remain the same, with flat premiums for certain employees and increases limited for others. Employees earning $50,000 or less pay the least under Advocate’s structured medical premiums.
The system’s 2027 benefits package also features continued access to GLP-1 medications for weight loss, sustained retirement contributions of up to 6% of eligible pay, no-cost mental health support, education assistance and a student loan repayment assistance program.
“The most important investment we make isn’t in buildings, technology or equipment. It’s in our people,” Eugene Woods, CEO of Advocate Health, said in the release. “Healthcare is a 24/7 calling and every single day our 170,000 teammates bring extraordinary skill, compassion and commitment to the patients and communities we serve. Their dedication is what brings our purpose to life for the millions of people who count on us each year.”
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