What are the largest individual health insurance companies?

For the 2026 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, KFF identifies UnitedHealthcare, Centene Corporation, Oscar Health, Elevance Health, Molina Healthcare, Cigna Healthcare (exiting the market in 2027), and Kaiser Permanente among the major national participants. KFF reports that they operate in 30, 29, 20, 18, 14, 11, and 10 states, respectively.

Is Blue Cross Blue Shield an individual health insurance carrier?

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a system of independent, locally operated insurance companies rather than one nationwide carrier. Availability, networks, and plan designs vary by the specific Blue Cross Blue Shield company serving your area.

How do I find out which health insurance carriers are available in my area?

Visit HealthCare.gov or your state's health insurance exchange. Enter your location to see the plans and carriers currently available to you. CMS also provides Marketplace data showing insurer service areas by state, county, and ZIP code.

Can employees choose their own health insurance with a CHOICE Arrangement?

Yes. With a CHOICE Arrangement, employees receive employer-funded contributions that they can use toward individual health coverage. Rather than being limited to an employer-selected group plan, employees can select an individual plan that meets the benefit’s requirements and is available in their area.

Do individual health insurance carriers offer the same plans in every state?

No. Carriers can offer different plans, networks, premiums, and benefits by state and county. A carrier may also change its service area from one year to the next. KFF's 2026 Marketplace analysis documents substantial county-level changes in insurer participation.

Was ICHRA renamed to the CHOICE Arrangement?

Yes. On September 3, 2026, CMS and the SBA announced that individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs) would now be called CHOICE Arrangements. The name change didn’t fundamentally change how the employee benefit works; the existing ICHRA framework remains in place under the new name. Employers and benefits professionals may still encounter the term ICHRA because it remains common in the health benefits landscape and existing plan materials.

Is a CHOICE Arrangement cheaper than traditional group health insurance?

A CHOICE Arrangement can help employers control and predict their health benefits spending because the employer determines the contribution amount rather than paying the premium for a specific group health plan. However, costs depend on the employer's contribution strategy, workforce demographics, locations, and individual insurance market. Remodel Health can help you design a compliant CHOICE Arrangement that fits your budget.

How does a CHOICE Arrangement work for employees?

Employees receiving a CHOICE Arrangement contribution shop for and enroll in qualifying individual health insurance coverage. They can compare plans based on factors such as premiums, deductibles, provider networks, prescriptions, and expected healthcare needs. The employer then provides the defined contribution that employees can use toward their monthly plan premiums.

Can an employer offer both a CHOICE Arrangement and a group health plan?

Yes, an employer may offer a CHOICE Arrangement and traditional group health insurance at the same time. But under federal rules, employers must ensure employees in a specific class can access only one type of benefit. You can’t give your staff within the same class a choice between the group plan and the CHOICE Arrangement. For example, an organization could structure its benefits so that hourly employees receive group coverage while salaried workers receive a CHOICE Arrangement.

Can employees use a CHOICE Arrangement to pay for individual dental or vision insurance?

Yes, employees can use a CHOICE Arrangement to pay for individual dental and vision insurance premiums or out-of-pocket costs, if their employer's plan design allows for it.

Can a small business offer a CHOICE Arrangement and a QSEHRA at the same time?

No. An employer generally can't offer both a CHOICE Arrangement and a QSEHRA to the same employees. Small businesses should evaluate which HRA best fits their benefits strategy.

Can employers offer a CHOICE Arrangement and an HSA at the same time?

Yes, but certain requirements apply. To contribute to an HSA, an employee needs an HSA-eligible HDHP, and the CHOICE Arrangement must be structured to avoid providing disqualifying coverage.

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Individual Health Insurance

What are the major individual health insurance carriers?

Sep 28, 2026, 10:58:09 AM 9 min read

Group Health Insurance

Offering a CHOICE Arrangement vs. group health insurance

Sep 17, 2026, 8:24:03 AM 9 min read

ICHRA

How to offer ICHRA alongside other employee benefit programs

Sep 15, 2026, 12:00:00 PM 5 min read

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Interested in learning more?

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What are the major individual health insurance carriers?

Offering a CHOICE Arrangement vs. group health insurance

How to offer ICHRA alongside other employee benefit programs

Earning Accolades in Health Innovation

Remodel Health
601 S. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46225

Interested in learning more?

Expert insights at your fingertips.

What are the major individual health insurance carriers?

Offering a CHOICE Arrangement vs. group health insurance

How to offer ICHRA alongside other employee benefit programs

Earning Accolades in Health Innovation

Remodel Health601 S. Meridian St.Indianapolis, IN 46225

Remodel Health
601 S. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46225