Health Insurance Insider – September 18, 2025
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With changes coming in 2026, it’s more important than ever to be informed about health insurance. For small businesses in Utah (2-50 employees), here’s what you need to know about upcoming group health insurance renewals.
Key Updates for 2026 Renewals:
- Delayed Rate Filings: Expect to receive your renewal rates a bit later this year, likely in the first or second week of October. Carriers typically file their plans in March, but federal changes caused delays.
- Average Rate Increases: While scary numbers were a concern, initial filings suggest manageable increases for most small employer groups. Here’s a look at the average increases submitted by key carriers in Utah, with most coming in under the 15% mark:
UnitedHealthcare: Averaging a 12% increase; SelectHealth (HMO): Filed for a 9% increase; Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield: Filed a broader range from 10-17%, with a generalized average around 12%.
- Minimal Plan Changes: The good news is that most carriers are not making significant changes to their plan benefits, so for many, it will be business as usual.
- The Shift from Individual to Group Plans: A major change is on the individual health insurance market. SelectHealth has indicated that their 2026 group plans will be up to 21% less expensive with better benefits than their individual plans. If you or your employees have been on an individual policy due to COVID-era subsidies, this could be the year to switch back to a small employer plan.
Strategic Tip for Businesses:
Want to lock in 2025 rates for another 12 months? If you’ve been on an individual policy, a strategic move is to start your new group plan with a November or December effective date. This allows you to secure the current year’s rates and push off the new rate increases until the end of 2026.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to renewal season!
