Disney Cuts Medical Insurance for Spouses With Employer Coverage

The Walt Disney Company will eliminate medical insurance for spouses of U.S. employees if those spouses have access to coverage through their own employers. Effective next year, the policy change will not impact dental or vision benefits, other dependents, or spouses who are unemployed or lack insurance through an employer.

Disney described the move as a "measured adjustment" in response to rising healthcare costs across the United States. The decision aligns with a broader corporate trend of curbing employee benefits as Aon projects that healthcare expenses for employers will increase by 9.5% next year.

Other major U.S. employers are implementing similar cost-cutting measures. Starbucks is ending coverage for GLP-1 weight-loss medications for benefits-eligible employees starting in October, while Deloitte plans to reduce IVF funding, paid parental leave, pension plans, and annual PTO beginning in January.