News
Plain-English updates on CHOICE Arrangements (ICHRA), compliance deadlines, legislation, and the market forces shaping your employer clients' renewals.
Employers expect the biggest health benefit cost increase in more than two decades, individual market premiums are rising again, and ICHRA now goes by a new name. Here's a checklist of numbers, deadlines, and conversations to cover before plan year 2027.
On September 3, CMS and the SBA announced that individual coverage HRAs will now be called CHOICE Arrangements. The rules haven't changed. Here's what was announced, what it means for your clients, and how to talk about the new name.
Level funding now covers more than a third of workers with coverage at small firms. Before recommending one for 2027, or renewing one, review the stop-loss contract, the employer's self-funded compliance duties, the new PBM rules, and the exit plan.
The IRS set the 2027 required contribution percentage at 10.22%, the first time it has topped 10%. Here's what that means for group plan contributions, ICHRA allowances, and penalty exposure, along with the new 2027 employer shared responsibility amounts.
Weight-loss GLP-1 coverage is one of the biggest pharmacy decisions employers face for 2027. Here's what the data shows, how federal pricing deals and TrumpRx change the picture, and the options to put in front of clients.
Most ICHRA problems come from a short list of avoidable mistakes: late notices, class design errors, affordability shortcuts, weak substantiation, and forgotten filings like PCORI. Here's a checklist to review before your clients' next plan year.
You don't need an expensive lead list to find employer prospects. Census business counts, Form 5500 filings, CMS Marketplace files, and KFF benchmarks can help you pick a niche, size a market, and walk into first meetings prepared.
The ICHRA pitch that works for a 12-person firm is the wrong pitch for a 300-employee employer. Here's how to adjust the conversation by employer size, with the 2026 numbers for QSEHRA limits, affordability, penalties, and HSA pairing.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, signed February 3, adds federal PBM reporting and 100% rebate pass-through requirements for employer group health plans. Here's what's in it, when it takes effect, and why it's a good moment to revisit your own compensation disclosures.
The enhanced premium tax credits ended December 31. The House has now passed a three-year extension, the Senate hasn't acted, and a separate House-passed bill would codify ICHRA. Here's a status update and what it means for employer clients.
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