I’m Done Pretending My Investments Protected Me From [20%] Medical Hikes. It’s Nuts.

In 2026, healthcare costs rose 20%. In 2025, my portfolio yielded 5%. Guess who’s winning?

Aldric Chen

4 min read

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Just now

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Lisa called me this morning.

“Aldric, just checking in. We need to renew your corporate insurance coverage by the end of this month.”

So far, nothing spectacular. But that did not last.

“Premiums are up 20% for the same coverage.”

I blinked.

“Twenty percent? For the exact same plan? The same coverage? Like, two zero?”

An awkward pause followed. Then a cold response.

“Yes.”

I sighed

Lisa was calm.

She must have dealt with many indignant folks. She sounded numb. She sounded as if she had done the same conversation a million times.

“Medical inflation is running high. Hospitals are charging more. Claims have gone up across the board.”

I thanked her and hung up.

Then I sat there staring at my screen, stoned.

Keeping up has become a full-time job. Twenty percent is not a bump. It is a cliff.