Ten percent of insurers are proposing rate increases of 20% — and more – in 2026. To be able to help your clients respond, it’s important you know about options apart from traditional Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. When you are fully versed in market alternatives, you’re going to attract more new business and renewals in an evolving marketplace. And, of course, when you partner with Word & Brown, we’ll be working alongside you to help you quote and close more often.
Comparing and Shopping the Market
At Word & Brown, we have the expertise and technology to help you fully shop the market. That includes many options:
1: Shifting to a Bronze Tier plan paired with an HSA
Employers can often reduce costs by pushing employees toward a Bronze Tier health plan paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA). HSAs offer triple tax advantages. 1) Tax-deductible contributions. 2) Tax-free growth. 3) Tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. Plus, HSAs are not subject to use-it-or-lose-it rules like Flexible Spending Accounts. Unused funds can roll over from year to year. At age 65, funds can even be withdrawn for non-medical expenses. They are only subject to regular income tax similar to a 401(k).
2: Shifting to a Silver Tier plan paired with an HRA
Instead of a Gold Tier health plan with a low deductible, suggest to your groups that they consider a Silver Tier plan with an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). They will save on premiums and only face added costs when seeking care. You may be able to offset these costs with a supplemental gap insurance plan or separate hospital indemnity plan.) Employers’ costs are predictable, up to the HRA limit they establish. There’s no upfront funding required; claims are reimbursed as incurred.
3: Moving to a Narrow Network
A switch from a PPO to a “Choice” or “Premier” network could help clients offset the full impact of expected 2026 rate increases, while maintaining many of their existing benefit levels.
4: Considering funding alternatives
Self-funding and other alternatives are not for everyone, but they are increasing in popularity. And, contrary to what you think, they are not just for larger groups. According to KFF, in 2025, 67% of covered workers were enrolled in self-funded plans. The includes 27% at small firms and 80% in larger firms. Similarly in 2025, 37% of covered workers at small firms were covered by a level-funded plan. Both numbers were similar to 2024. Our team will do a strategic review and analysis of viable options for your clients, matching the right carrier and plan to your clients’ needs.
5; Leveraging the Bronze to Gold power play
Moving from a Bronze plan to a Gold plan is often referred to as a “power play” to reduce out-of-pocket costs when clients need care. What they are trading in is a higher monthly health plan premium for lower out-of-pocket costs. It’s important to carefully evaluate whether the power play will work to your client’s advantage. Be sure to compare deductibles, copays, out-of-pocket maximums, and annual premiums. If you need help crunching the numbers, we’re here to help.
Partnering with the Right GA Offers Other Advantages, Too
Beyond helping you shop and compare the marketplace – and find a solution to address your client’s pain points – you can count on Word & Brown for much more. We are here, start to finish, helping you quote, enroll, close, service, and renew more often. Plus, we can help stay up to date on trends, regulation changes, changing product portfolios, and more.
We offer you the localized support you need wherever you’re doing business – in California or Nevada.
Contact your W&B rep for assistance. Or, if we are not yet working together, register online to get started. Or call us at 800-869-6989.
Working together, our efforts can help you become an economically resilient broker. We’ll help ensure your future as an insurance sales professional with a growing block of business.
