As of this week, the expanded health insurance tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, exposing millions of Americans to massive premium increases. This isn’t just a healthcare problem; it’s a looming economic crisis that adds immense pressure to household budgets already strained by inflation.
Estimates suggest 4 to 5 million people could lose coverage. Allowing the American public to be dumped off a financial cliff is neither responsible nor realistic. We know the consequence of sudden loss of coverage: nobody walks into the ER expecting a million-dollar bill, yet medical debt is a stark reality for the uninsured.
The Path to a Responsible Off-Ramp:
The long-term answer is not an indefinite expansion of subsidies, as that is not fiscally responsible. The immediate need, however, is clear.
The best path forward is to extend these expanded tax credits to 2026. This extension gives our leaders the necessary time to find real, sustainable ways to cut the underlying costs of healthcare. We must shift the focus back to policies that actually take care of our people and prevent medical bankruptcy.
Key Takeaways & Immediate Action:
🩺 The Problem: Expanded Tax Credits are set to expire 12/31, leading to massive premium hikes.
🩺 The Risk: Millions face financial ruin and loss of coverage immediately.
🩺 The Necessary “Off-Ramp”: Extend tax credits to 2026 to allow time for leaders to find cost solutions.
🩺 The Solution: Brokers Deliver Solutions. They are vital partners in helping consumers find creative strategies to soften the landing and secure protection for their families.
Now is the time for policy leaders to act with vision, and for consumers to seek expert guidance.
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.
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!
Health Insurance Insider – October 2, 2025
/by The Ark Insurance TeamAs of this week, the expanded health insurance tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, exposing millions of Americans to massive premium increases. This isn’t just a healthcare problem; it’s a looming economic crisis that adds immense pressure to household budgets already strained by inflation.
Estimates suggest 4 to 5 million people could lose coverage. Allowing the American public to be dumped off a financial cliff is neither responsible nor realistic. We know the consequence of sudden loss of coverage: nobody walks into the ER expecting a million-dollar bill, yet medical debt is a stark reality for the uninsured.
The Path to a Responsible Off-Ramp:
The long-term answer is not an indefinite expansion of subsidies, as that is not fiscally responsible. The immediate need, however, is clear.
The best path forward is to extend these expanded tax credits to 2026. This extension gives our leaders the necessary time to find real, sustainable ways to cut the underlying costs of healthcare. We must shift the focus back to policies that actually take care of our people and prevent medical bankruptcy.
Key Takeaways & Immediate Action:
🩺 The Problem: Expanded Tax Credits are set to expire 12/31, leading to massive premium hikes.
🩺 The Risk: Millions face financial ruin and loss of coverage immediately.
🩺 The Necessary “Off-Ramp”: Extend tax credits to 2026 to allow time for leaders to find cost solutions.
🩺 The Solution: Brokers Deliver Solutions. They are vital partners in helping consumers find creative strategies to soften the landing and secure protection for their families.
Now is the time for policy leaders to act with vision, and for consumers to seek expert guidance.
Health Insurance Insider – September 25, 2025
/by The Ark Insurance TeamIndividual 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.
Health Insurance Insider – September 18, 2025
/by The Ark Insurance TeamWith 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:
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%.
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!