If you’re running a small business and relying on individual health insurance for yourself or your employees, you should know there are some big changes ahead. Serious increases are coming soon, and they are expected to hit individual health insurance hard. The businesses that prepare now are going to be in much better shape than those that wait.

Annual insurance check-ups are always a good idea, but what’s headed our way in 2026 isn’t your typical year-over-year adjustment. The enhanced premium tax credits that have kept individual marketplace coverage affordable are set to expire December 31, 2025, and that’s not very far away. There is still time to get ahead of these increases, but you’ll need to act fast.

Why Group Insurance Makes Sense Now

Already, Utah’s individual market rates have jumped considerably. Stack that on top of the upcoming tax credit expiration, and people buying individual marketplace plans are looking at increases as high as 438% in what they’ll actually pay.

Utah has a much stronger group market with better benefits than individual plans, and group plans typically cost less per person. And unlike individual plans that lock you into specific enrollment windows, you can start a group plan at any time — which means businesses can sign up any time of the year. That flexibility matters a lot right now.

The Special Enrollment Window You Probably Don’t Know About

If you’re thinking about enrolling in group health insurance it’s a good idea to get it done sooner than later. A strategic window is closing soon, and it could potentially save you money. There is a small group Special Enrollment Period that runs November 15-December 15 each year, letting businesses start group coverage without the usual requirements.

During this window, you only need two eligible employees, and only one to enroll to get your group plan started, and you don’t have to contribute anything to premiums. You can get access to group rates and pay with pre-tax dollars.

How We Can Help

The 2026 rate increases are fast approaching, but there is still time to navigate this transition smoothly. And if traditional group insurance just isn’t for you, there are other strategies we can explore — like Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).

Don’t wait until January 1, 2026, when individual premiums spike and you’re scrambling for solutions. Here at Ark Insurance, we’ve built a reputation on putting clients first, and we’re committed to finding the right plan for you and your employees. When you’re facing significant market changes like this one, having the right kind of expert on your side matters.

The window to lock in better rates is getting smaller. Get in touch with us today to explore your options.

Over the weekend, the Senate voted to advance a deal that extends government funding through January 30th, in an effort to end the current shutdown. The House will now decide whether to take up the Senate measure to reopen the government.

Things are very much still up in the air at the moment, but here’s what we know so far about health insurance tax credits and what it means for your premiums.

The December Timeline

Senator John Thune has indicated there will be a Senate floor vote on ACA premium tax credits by mid-December, before Congress recesses on December 19th.

That timing is significant because open enrollment is already underway. Right now, the marketplace rates you’re seeing are based on the expiration of tax credits on December 31st. Whether Congress extends those credits will determine what people actually pay for coverage starting January 1st.

What’s on the Table

Representatives Sam Liccardo and Kevin Kiley have introduced a bill to extend the enhanced ACA tax credits for two years, covering households up to 600% of the federal poverty level.

Other proposals are also being discussed, including different approaches to how premium assistance is structured and delivered. Some involve extending the current system, while others propose more significant changes to how subsidies work. So far, Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to bringing an ACA credit bill to a House vote, even if legislation passes the Senate.

The Current Situation

The timeline is tight. Congressional recess begins December 19th, which doesn’t leave much time for negotiation between now and then.

If enhanced tax credits expire as currently scheduled, many Americans will see their premiums increase at the start of the new year. How much depends on each household’s income level and insurance plan, but for many, the difference will be substantial.

Congress must act soon if they want changes to take effect for January coverage. Anything passed after December 31 would likely require special enrollment periods to allow people to adjust their coverage based on new subsidy levels.

The next few weeks will determine whether enhanced tax credits continue, expire, or get modified in some way. Each scenario has different implications for premiums and affordability.

How This Affects You

If you’re shopping for coverage right now, you’ll need to make decisions based on the current rates. Even if they change, the timing of any congressional action will determine how smoothly those changes can be implemented.

If you have questions about how potential changes might impact your specific situation, please reach out to us. We’re closely monitoring all of these new developments and can help you understand how they can affect you.

The situation is fluid, and we’ll continue tracking this situation through December––so be sure to check back with us for more updates.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ark Insurance | SLC Individual & Group Health Insurance (@arkinsurance)

📢 RATES ARE IN: Stop Worrying About Your 2026 Health Insurance! 🚨

The wait is over! Open Enrollment starts this Saturday, November 1st, and we finally have the official 2026 health insurance rates.

We know you’ve been worried, but don’t panic. Our early review of the increases shows a mixed bag:

💰 Many of our clients will maintain their $0 premiums!
📈 If you are a higher-income earner, your rates may be changing significantly. You need to call us for brainstorming and a better solution.
🤔 Don’t just panic over the “maybes,” go online and check you ACTUAL renewal rate.

At Ark Insurance Solutions, we are working with real 2026 data now, not just scary rumors! We are ready to find you the best affordable health insurance and subsidies in the ACA Marketplace.

📞 Call Us Today to Schedule Your 2026 Review!

Let’s look at your renewal, brainstorm alternatives, and figure out the right plan for you.

➡️ Click the link in bio or call 801-901-7800 to set up a personalized appointment with our team in Salt Lake City, Utah!

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ark Insurance | SLC Individual & Group Health Insurance (@arkinsurance)

The Subsidy Cliff & What You Need to Know NOW:

💵 The expanded healthcare tax credits implemented during COVID-19, which helped eliminate the “subsidy cliff” for those earning more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are set to expire.

⚖️ If Congress doesn’t act, the pre-COVID rules will return. The “cliff” means that if your income exceeds that 400% FPL (or $62,600) threshold by even one dollar, you could lose your entire tax credit and have to pay it back.

Strategic Planning is Key 🗓️

⚠️ For the self-employed and others who make more than 400% FPL, it’s crucial to prepare now.

The existing tax credits aren’t going away entirely, but they will revert to their limited pre-COVID amounts.

• If you’re over the $62,600 mark, you may need to look at options other than Healthcare.gov.
• In Utah, group plans may be 20-21% less expensive and are a viable alternative for the self-employed to explore immediately.

🗓️ Don’t wait! We must strategize now by considering a group plan. If Congress extends the tax credits by January 1st, we can always cancel and move you back to the individual marketplace during a potential special enrollment period.

Let’s talk now about securing your best healthcare strategy for 2026. Call us at 801-901-7800.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ark Insurance | SLC Individual & Group Health Insurance (@arkinsurance)

Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements, or ICHRAs, are a new approach to employee health benefits that give employers a tax-advantaged way to provide flexible health coverage. For small businesses, ICHRAs offer an alternative to traditional group health plans, which can often be expensive and difficult to manage.

So, how does an ICHRA work? Instead of offering a specific group plan, employers give employees a set amount of tax-free money to spend on a health plan they choose themselves. The employer saves money on premiums, and the employees get to select a plan that fits their needs and their family’s needs. It’s a win-win.

One of the biggest advantages of an ICHRA is the flexibility it offers. You can set different contribution amounts for different classes of employees, such as managers and salaried workers, as long as the plan doesn’t discriminate. Plus, since the money is a tax-deductible business expense, both the business and the employees save money.

Key Takeaways About ICHRAs

💰Tax-Advantaged: Contributions are a tax-deductible expense for employers and are not considered taxable income for employees.
🧑 Employee Choice: Employees can choose a health plan that best fits their specific needs, including their preferred doctors and hospital networks.
🤸 Flexibility: ICHRAs are a great option for businesses with a distributed workforce in different states, as they can be used to accommodate varying state health insurance markets.

As the health insurance landscape continues to evolve, staying on top of new options like ICHRAs is essential for small businesses. We’ll be here every week to keep you informed.