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TPMO Disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 45 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the government or the federal Medicare program.
Ark Insurance Solutions is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage organizations and stand-alone prescription drug plans. Each organization has a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on contract renewal.
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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!
Is it Time for a Health Insurance Coverage Check-up?
/by The Ark Insurance TeamWhy annual insurance check-ups matter
The healthcare industry is always changing. From shifting provider networks to updates in medication coverage, what you signed up for initially might look quite different today. “The costs and the benefits and the laws change every single year and sometimes more frequently,” says Rebecca Yates, CEO of Ark Insurance Solutions. These aren’t minor adjustments. They can significantly impact both your wallet and your access to quality healthcare, which is why it’s important to know how they’ll affect you personally.
It’s also worth considering how your own life changes year over year. Your needs may have evolved, and the medications covered under your current plan may have changed. All of these factors can affect not only the cost of your plan but also its effectiveness in meeting your healthcare needs. Without regular review, you might find yourself paying more than necessary or even worse, lacking coverage in crucial areas.
Recent changes make reviews more critical than ever
New developments in the healthcare sector have made insurance check-ups absolutely crucial. The government has implemented new security measures to protect consumers after incidents involving rogue insurance brokers making unauthorized changes. While these measures provide additional protection, they also illustrate the importance of regularly reviewing your coverage to make sure it aligns with your expectations and requirements.
Insurance companies regularly update their networks, change their formularies, and adjust their coverage terms. Without regular reviews, you might miss important changes that could affect your access to care or your out-of-pocket costs.
Signs you need an insurance check-up
There are a few red flags that suggest it’s time to review your health insurance coverage:
1. Your healthcare needs have changed since last enrollment, such as recent medical issues, new medications, or a recent expansion of your family. These life changes often require adjustments to your coverage so that you’re getting the care you need at the best possible rate.
2. You’re unsure about your current coverage. If you can’t confidently say what your plan covers or what your out-of-pocket expenses might be, it’s time for a review. Understanding your coverage shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle – if it does, you could benefit from some expert guidance and clarification about your coverage.
3. Your preferred healthcare providers or medications have changed. Network changes can affect your ability to see specific doctors or obtain certain medications at preferred rates. A review can help ensure you maintain access to the care and prescriptions you need without unexpected costs.
4. Your employer has experienced growth or restructuring. Changes in employee numbers or company structure can impact group insurance plans and might open up new, more beneficial options.
What to expect during your insurance check-up
A comprehensive insurance review examines your plan in a few key areas:
Network Evaluation
This is a thorough examination of your current healthcare providers and whether they remain in-network. This includes primary care physicians, specialists and preferred hospitals. Your broker will help identify any potential network changes that could affect your access to care and suggest alternatives if needed. They’ll also look for opportunities to optimize your network access based on your specific healthcare needs.
Prescription Coverage Review
By conducting an in-depth analysis of your current medications and their coverage status, your broker can help you identify if there are more cost-effective options available, or if recent changes might affect your out-of-pocket expenses. They can also help you understand if there are pharmacy benefit programs or mail-order options that could save you money while maintaining access to your necessary medications.
Cost Analysis
A cost analysis is a detailed review of your premium costs, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums compared to your actual healthcare usage and budget. This analysis goes beyond simple premium comparisons by looking at your actual total healthcare spending and identifying opportunities for savings. Your broker will help you understand how different plan structures might affect your overall costs based on your specific healthcare needs.
Benefits Assessment
This is a comprehensive evaluation of whether your current benefits align with your needs, including specialized services, mental health coverage and wellness programs. This assessment looks at both your current healthcare requirements and anticipates potential future needs to ensure your coverage provides enough protection for the coming year.
The value of professional guidance
While you might be tempted to handle this kind of review independently, working with a licensed health insurance broker can provide invaluable insights and save you considerable time and effort. Brokers stay current with market changes, policy updates, and new offerings from different insurance providers. And much like you’d call an accountant to do your taxes, or an attorney for a legal matter, brokers know the health insurance landscape inside and out, and will look out for your interests.
One common misconception is that working with a broker adds extra costs to your actual insurance. However, this isn’t the case. “The best part is it doesn’t cost you anything extra to work with us. You can go to the carrier or you can go to us directly. Those premiums are the same,” says Yates.
Making the most of your check-up
To maximize all of the benefits of getting an insurance review, you should come prepared with the following:
– Gather together your current plan documentation and any recent medical bills or prescription costs. This information helps your broker understand your current healthcare spending patterns and so they can identify potential areas for savings.
– List any changes in your healthcare needs or preferences over the past year. Include new medications, healthcare providers, or potential future medical procedures.
– Don’t be shy about asking questions pertaining to your coverage, or discussing areas that you find confusing or concerning. Your broker can help clarify complex terms and ensure you fully understand your benefits.
– It’s a sensitive topic for most, but be ready to discuss your budget and any financial constraints affecting your healthcare decisions. This helps your broker find solutions that balance coverage and your costs effectively.
Making sure your coverage works for you
For the average person, healthcare needs are always evolving, and insurance options will continue to expand and change. By maintaining regular check-ups of your coverage, you can ensure that your health insurance remains a useful tool in maintaining your personal health and well-being — rather than becoming an obstacle to accessing care.
Remember, just as you wouldn’t skip your annual physical, don’t overlook the importance of reviewing your health insurance coverage. If you haven’t yet had a chance to get an insurance check-up, there’s still time. You can revisit your coverage and make changes that will take effect on February 1. But it’s important to reach out for an appointment well before the January 15 deadline.
Now is the time to get a handle on your current and future health insurance needs with a professional who cares about your well-being. “When you call us, you’re going to get a real human that answers the phone, and that real human is going to connect with you and care about you, learn about your family, and figure out what you need,” says Yates.
Up a Creek Without a Paddle: Health Plans That May Fail Business Owners and Employees
/by The Ark Insurance TeamAs a business owner, providing adequate healthcare to your employees isn’t just a nice thing to do — it may be a requirement if you have over 50 full-time employees. But what happens when healthcare costs threaten to cripple your business? When traditional group health insurance premiums put an outsized strain on your budget, it can be tempting to look for an option that is more cost-effective. However, many of the alternative options out there tend to hide enormous risks and limitations for both you and your employees.
Let’s discuss the three most popular alternatives to traditional healthcare plans and their inherent drawbacks, so that you can make the best decision for your company and the people who work for you. Of course, when it comes to avoiding common health insurance pitfalls, consulting a broker like Ark Insurance Solutions is always the best way to safeguard yourself against potentially disastrous decisions.
Health Share Plans
The limitations don’t stop there. Most sharing ministries impose permanent exclusions or lengthy waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, often denying coverage to employees who need it the most. These plans also frequently refuse to cover preventive care, mental health services, or treatments based on religiously structured morality clauses. Many of them implement strict annual or lifetime caps on coverage, which can leave your employees exposed to catastrophic costs.
Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) Plans
These plans don’t just leave your employees in the lurch with barely any coverage, they also provide a sense of false security. Employees often don’t find out how bare-bones their coverage really is until they face a significant medical event. By then, it’s too late. MEC plans can be incredibly enticing for business owners because they comply with certain ACA requirements, but your employees might be better off purchasing their own insurance through the marketplace.
“If an employer is offering coverage and it’s considered affordable, that employee would lose the ability to go to the ACA marketplace and get a policy that’s subsidized,” says Rebecca Yates, CEO of Ark Insurance Solutions. “You can unintentionally make it worse for your employees with these plans.”
If you’re considering a MEC plan, a consultation with Ark Insurance Solutions can provide you with an analysis based on all of your employees, their income, as well as IRS and ACA requirements, giving you the best recommendation for protecting your business and your workforce.
Fixed Indemnity Insurance
This type of plan can be beneficial as a supplement to an already existing full health insurance plan, but it shouldn’t be used as a standalone option. When medical costs exceed the fixed benefit, employees must pay the difference out of pocket.
These differences can be astronomical, particularly for serious conditions or extended hospitalizations. And what they don’t tell you about fixed indemnity insurance is pretty glaring — your plan won’t negotiate for lower costs, which can ultimately leave you with bankruptcy-inducing medical bills.
For example, let’s consider a scenario where an indemnity plan pays $1,000 per day for hospitalization. In most cases, actual hospital charges can exceed $5,000 per day or more, leaving your employee responsible for a difference of $4,000 per day. And that’s a conservative estimate. A night in the hospital can easily rack up over $100,000 worth in costs, and your employees will end up paying full price for their care. Fixed indemnity plans also often come with a limit of $1 million, which you can easily churn through in just one week of hospital care.
Indemnity insurance can lead to some pretty disastrous outcomes, and they put your employees at risk — even if they never step foot in a hospital. The average costs of common prescription drugs can reach upwards of tens of thousands of dollars a month. Take for instance Skyrizi, a popular medication for psoriasis, arthritis, Crohn’s disease and colitis. It costs around $20,000 per month. A fixed indemnity plan wouldn’t even begin to cover the prescription, and it wouldn’t negotiate the price down, either.
The Real Cost to Your Business
While these alternative plans may reduce your immediate business expenses, they often lead to hidden costs that can far outweigh the savings. Employees with inadequate coverage will often delay necessary medical care, leading to increased absenteeism and decreased productivity. The financial stress of medical bills can affect workplace performance and morale, while the discovery of coverage limitations during a medical crisis can severely damage trust between you and your employees.
Most of all, these plans can hamper your ability to attract and retain top talent. In today’s competitive job market, quality health benefits can be a deciding factor for prospective employees. Companies that offer substandard coverage often find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to recruiting long-term staff.
“Insurance is just math. If it’s cheap, there’s a reason, and you need to know what that reason is,” says Yates. “It’s really important to know what you’re buying, especially if it seems too good to be true.”
A More Sustainable Approach
Instead of risking your employees’ health and financial security with inadequate coverage, consider exploring more sustainable alternatives. By finding a reputable broker, you can protect your business and your employees. “Not all brokers are created equal,” says Yates. “Avoid call centers like the plague. I would recommend someone who has been in the industry a long time and has a local presence in your community.”
Here at Ark Insurance Solutions, we’re committed to providing the best access to care at a cost that makes sense for your business. If you’re considering an alternative like those listed above, know that there are better plans out there, and we’ll work to consider all of your options with a dedicated team of experts that are passionate about what we do.
At the end of the day, the true measure of an employee health benefit plan isn’t its monthly premium, but its ability to protect your employees’ health and financial security while supporting your business goals. While health share plans, MEC plans, and fixed indemnity insurance might offer short-term savings, they often fail to deliver real value to anyone — not your business, and certainly not for your employees.
Remember that healthy, financially secure employees are more productive, more loyal, and more likely to contribute to your company’s long-term success. By investing in meaningful health coverage now, you’re not just providing an employee benefit – you’re making a strategic investment in your company’s future.