Group health insurance for small businesses.
Carriers have filed their 2027 small group rates. In Kansas and Missouri, most are asking for double-digit increases. Compare your options with us before you renew.
Kansas
| Carrier | Avg. change |
|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City | +13.39% |
| UnitedHealthcare | +11.47% |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas | +9.61% |
Requested by carriers, not yet final. As of September 20, 2026. Source: CMS Rate Review, Kansas small group, plan year 2027.
Missouri
| Carrier | Avg. change |
|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | +17.23% |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City | +15.58% |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | +14.56% |
| Medica | +12.61% |
Proposed, finals due October 31, 2026. As of July 31, 2026. Source: Missouri DCI, 2027 proposed rate filings.
Four ways to cover your team
A traditional group plan is one choice, not the only one. Here is how the common options compare.
- Fully insured small group
- Fits: Most teams of 2 to 50 that want a traditional plan
- You pick one or more carrier plans and pay a fixed monthly premium. Rates follow ACA small group rules, so health history does not change your price.
- Level-funded
- Fits: Healthier teams willing to answer a health questionnaire
- You pay a steady monthly amount that covers claims, admin and stop-loss protection. If claims come in low, some plans return part of the surplus.
- ICHRA
- Fits: Teams spread across states, or owners who want a set budget
- You set a monthly allowance and reimburse employees, tax free, for individual plans they choose. Works for any company size.
- QSEHRA
- Fits: Businesses under 50 employees with no group plan
- A simpler reimbursement plan with an annual cap set by the IRS. Good first step for very small teams.
Read the full small business guide or learn how ICHRA works.
How a quote works
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Tell us about your team
Business name, ZIP code and how many people you want to cover. Two minutes, no medical questions.
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Compare real prices
We pull plans from the carriers selling in your state and lay them out side by side.
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Pick a plan and enroll
Choose what fits your budget. We handle enrollment and recheck the market at each renewal.
Common questions
How many employees do I need for a group health plan?
In most states, a business with at least one employee who is not the owner or the owner's spouse can buy a small group plan. Carriers set their own participation and contribution rules on top of that, so the real minimum depends on the plan you pick.
What counts as a small group?
Under the Affordable Care Act, small group means 1 to 50 employees in most states. California, Colorado, New York and Vermont set the line at 100. Above that line you are in the large group market, which prices plans differently.
Do I have to offer health insurance?
Only if you are an applicable large employer, which means 50 or more full-time employees, counting full-time equivalents. Smaller businesses can choose whether to offer coverage, and many do to hire and keep good people.
Is a group plan cheaper than having employees buy their own?
Sometimes. It depends on the ages of your team, where they live and how much you plan to contribute. An ICHRA, where you reimburse employees for individual plans, can cost less for some teams. We can price both side by side.
What does Group Health USA do?
We are an independent group health insurance agency. We quote plans from the carriers selling in your state, help you pick one, handle enrollment and recheck the market at each renewal. Asking for a quote is free and does not commit you to anything.
Get your quote before renewal
Tell us about your team. We will compare plans from the carriers in your state and send you options.
- Free, with no obligation to buy
- Small group, level-funded and ICHRA options compared
- A licensed agent on our team handles your request