News

The Smart Move for Small Business: Group Health Insurance

November 21, 2025/by The Ark Insurance Team

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.

Smart Strategies for Navigating 2026 Health Insurance Rate Increases

November 14, 2025/by The Ark Insurance Team

Health insurance rates are going up, and if you’re shopping on the individual marketplace, you’ve probably noticed. Utah’s market rates have already increased, and with premium tax credits set to expire December 31 we’re looking at additional increases for next year––which is why these aren’t your typical year-over-year adjustments.

At Ark Insurance, it’s our job to stay on top of these changes, and based on what we know so far there are a few strategies that might help you save some money.

The Big News: HSA Rules Just Changed (In a Good Way)

Starting January 2026, any bronze or catastrophic plan you buy through the marketplace automatically qualifies as HSA-compatible. This could be a real tax-saving opportunity.

Until now, a lot of bronze plans didn’t qualify for an HSA because of either high deductibles or copays. But with this new change, you can now pair an HSA with any bronze plan purchased through the healthcare.gov marketplace.

For 2026, you can contribute up to $4,400 for individual or $8,750 for family HSA coverage, all tax-deductible. If you’re over 55, you can tack on another $1,000. That money is tax-free for medical expenses, and rolls over every year.

Shifting Down the Metal Tiers

What happens when premiums go up? Customers drop their plans down a tier. Gold to silver, silver to bronze. We’re seeing a lot of people make these shifts, and it is one way to help reduce your monthly payment.

If you’re thinking of shifting tiers, keep in mind there is a trade-off. Expect higher deductibles and more out-of-pocket costs if you actually need care. This is where the HSA rules can be useful. If you’re moving to a bronze plan, you can set up an HSA account for medical expenses and save some tax dollars. It doesn’t eliminate the risk, but it does give you a better way to manage it.

This strategy works best if you’re relatively healthy and can handle higher upfront costs in exchange for lower monthly premiums. It’s not right for everyone, and we recommend a consultation to better understand how a lower tier would affect you.

Pay Close Attention to Networks

As rates increase, carriers are tightening their networks to control costs. Whether or not this will affect you will depend on where you live and your health insurance plan. So if you’re thinking about a cheaper plan, just know that it might mean fewer doctors and hospitals you can actually use.

Before you buy a plan at the lowest price, make sure to check:

Your current doctors and specialists
Your preferred hospital
Your pharmacy
Any medications you’re taking

What About Catastrophic Plans?

You might have heard the news that catastrophic plans are getting expanded. They used to only be available if you were under 30 or qualified for a hardship exemption. Now, they’re open to people making over 400 percent of the federal poverty level, and they also qualify for HSAs.

However, there is one problem. Most carriers haven’t filed these types of plans, and Utah does not have access to any catastrophic plans for 2026. It’s worth knowing about in case things change down the road, but unfortunately it isn’t a strategy you can use right now.

Why This Year Feels Different

If you feel like the health insurance landscape this year is a bit more confusing than normal, that’s because it is. The government shutdown and pending decision about expanding tax credits have created a level of uncertainty that is unusual, making it even more difficult to navigate important decisions about your healthcare. Staying current on rate filings, network changes, legislative updates, and carrier announcements is what we do here at Ark Insurance. When something changes mid-year or new regulations come through, we’re already tracking how it affects our clients.

Get in touch with us to figure out which strategies make the most sense for your situation. We’re here to help you sort through the noise and find coverage that works.

Navigating the complex world of health insurance can be daunting. The Ark Insurance Solutions team has the skill and experience to guide you. We’ll help you compare health plans to make the best decision based on your unique circumstances and budget. Give us a call at 801-901-7800 or click here to schedule an appointment with us.

Update on ACA Tax Credits (And What it Means for You)

November 11, 2025/by The Ark Insurance Team

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.