-News Release-
Advocate Health, which operates Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic in Rome, has announced that it will invest $1.24 billion more in teammates in 2027, with approximately $846 million going toward additional compensation and $390 million in incremental benefits.
New for 2027, Advocate Health is raising its enterprise-wide minimum starting wage to $20 per hour, introducing four weeks of fully paid parental bonding leave and covering most of the rising cost of healthcare to help keep coverage affordable for teammates and their families.
The investments come amid broader cost pressures that are prompting many employers nationwide to scale back benefits.
“The most important investment we make isn’t in buildings, technology or equipment. It’s in our people,” said Eugene A. Woods, chief executive officer of Advocate Health. “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.”
Raising the floor on pay
The new $20 minimum starting wage builds on the enterprise-wide starting wage of $18.85 per hour established in 2026. Beginning next year, a teammate earning $20 per hour will earn $26,520 more annually than someone earning the federal minimum wage, assuming a 40-hour workweek.
As Advocate Health raises its minimum starting wage, the organization is also making targeted market adjustments to help keep pay competitive in patient-facing roles. Together, these changes are expected to impact approximately 40,000 patient-facing teammates across Advocate Health.
The additional $846 million investment in compensation also includes merit increases, incentives, pay-range updates, and other investments in teammate pay. Since the 2022 combination that created Advocate Health, the organization has made sustained investments in teammate compensation and benefits, including annual increases to its minimum starting wage.
Standing by teammates and their families
Advocate Health’s incremental $390 million investment in benefits builds on $1.9 billion in health coverage, $840M in retirement benefits and programs that support teammates’ physical, emotional and financial well-being, bringing its total benefits commitment to $3.2 billion.
At a time when many employers nationwide are projecting health care cost increases of approximately 9% in 2027, Advocate Health is investing more to help keep teammate coverage affordable. The organization already pays approximately 83% of total medical costs, with teammates paying the remainder through premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. For 2027, Advocate Health will invest an additional $138 million, absorbing more than 90% of the projected $149 million increase in medical plan costs. Deductibles, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums and most copays will stay the same, with premiums flat for some teammates and increases limited for many others. To help keep coverage affordable, Advocate Health also structures medical premiums so teammates earning $50,000 or less pay the least.
“The benefits that matter most are the ones that make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Nakesha Lopez, senior executive vice president and chief people and culture officer for Advocate Health. “We want our benefits to reflect what teammates need at different stages of their lives, while keeping affordability at the forefront and providing meaningful support for their health, families and financial futures.”
The 2027 benefits package also includes:
- Extended fully paid parental bonding leave to four weeks across the enterprise. Teammates also get support before, during, and after leave, including individualized guidance, lactation resources, childcare planning, and parenting support through a child’s first year. When both parents work for Advocate Health, each eligible teammate receives the full benefit.
- Expanded paid bereavement leave. Additional time and broader access for more teammates with five paid days and more covered relationships.
- Continued access to GLP-1 medications for weight loss. While many employers are no longer covering these medications, Advocate Health will continue coverage for eligible teammates, supported by a new Advocate Health Weight Management Program that provides added guidance and resources to help teammates achieve lasting health outcomes.
- Sustained retirement contributions of up to 6% of eligible pay. Even as some employers reduce their retirement contributions, Advocate Health will continue contributing up to 6% of eligible pay: a dollar-for-dollar match up to 3%, plus an additional 3% automatically, whether or not a teammate contributes their own money. This differentiated benefit helps ensure all eligible teammates can continue building toward retirement, even when today’s expenses make it difficult to set money aside.
- No-cost mental health support for teammates and members of their households, including virtual therapy, coaching, self-guided well-being tools, and family support resources.
- Education assistance from day one, covering more than 1,300 eligible programs, from high school diplomas and English-language learning to doctoral degrees. Eligible full-time teammates can receive up to $5,250 a year and part-time teammates up to $2,625, with up to $7,500 a year for select nursing programs.
- An industry-leading student loan repayment assistance program with lifetime support of up to $21,000 for eligible full-time teammates and $10,500 for eligible part-time teammates with qualifying federal or private student loans.
“We want teammates to be able to build long, fulfilling careers with us,” added Lopez. “That means creating opportunities to learn and grow, removing barriers that can get in the way, and opening more pathways into healthcare. When people can see a future for themselves here, they’re more likely to stay, grow and make a difference for the patients and communities we serve.”
Beyond providing $1.24 billion more in compensation and benefits next year, Advocate Health continues to focus on helping teammates build long-term careers and creating new pathways into healthcare. That includes youth career exploration, internships and apprenticeships; tuition assistance and career mobility programs; and support that helps teammates overcome barriers and stay and grow with the organization. Its Teammate Success Coaching Program, launched in 2022, helps teammates navigate challenges such as transportation, childcare, housing, and financial needs and has achieved approximately 90% six-month retention among participants. Through partnerships with schools, workforce organizations and community groups, Advocate Health is also expanding access to healthcare careers and building a workforce that reflects the communities it serves.
Together, Advocate Health’s compensation, benefits, and workforce development programs are designed to provide a competitive and sustainable teammate experience, helping people support their families and grow professionally while advancing the organization’s purpose to redefine care for all.
