Consider ICHRA and medical health insurance choices with market snapshot software

Why employers want location-specific ICHRA information

The ICHRA market has reached an inflection level that makes correct, location-specific information extra crucial than ever. 

ICHRA adoption has grown considerably since its launch in 2020.(1) Relevant Giant Employers (ALEs), companies with 50 or extra staff, noticed a 34% improve in ICHRA adoption from 2024 to 2025, whereas mixed adoption of ICHRA and QSEHRA grew 19% year-over-year.(2) HRA Council members report will increase of 400-800% in employer requests for quotes for 2026 and 2027.(1)

This explosive development means extra employers are evaluating ICHRA than ever earlier than. However right here’s the problem: with such dramatic location-based variations in particular person market pricing, making an knowledgeable determination with out county-specific information is almost inconceivable.

As of 2025, the person market covers roughly 24 million folks, whereas the small group market covers about 10 million.(3) Each employer’s determination about ICHRA impacts not simply their backside line, however their staff’ entry to high quality healthcare. With almost 70% of staff choosing Gold or Silver-tier Market plans when given ICHRA contributions, employers want to make sure sturdy particular person medical health insurance choices exist earlier than making the change.(2)

Manually researching particular person medical health insurance choices throughout a number of counties, particularly for distributed workforces, is overwhelming and time-consuming. The Market Snapshot Instrument solves this drawback by offering immediate entry to complete market information throughout all 3,000+ U.S. counties.

Why location issues on your ICHRA technique

The success of an ICHRA technique relies upon fully on the power of your native particular person medical health insurance market. This isn’t a minor consideration; it’s a make-or-break issue for ICHRA implementation. 

State-by-State Variability

In line with Ideon’s evaluation, the highest ICHRA-friendly states are Colorado, Ohio, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina, and Mississippi.(4) These states persistently present particular person market premiums considerably decrease than small group charges. However not all states share these favorable dynamics, and generally there are favorable pockets adjoining to poor markets. Some states see particular person premiums that exceed group charges by substantial margins, making cautious analysis important earlier than transitioning to an ICHRA mannequin. However bear in mind, even in much less favorable particular person markets, it’s nonetheless higher on your price range than yr over yr excessive renewals and unpredictable budgets. 

County-level variations

Even inside ICHRA-friendly states, prices can fluctuate dramatically from county to county. An organization with staff in a number of Georgia counties may discover wonderful ICHRA choices in Atlanta however face fully completely different market situations in rural areas. These granular variations can imply the distinction between saving 20% on advantages prices and paying 50% extra.

Multi-state workforces

What Take Command’s Market Snapshot Instrument does

How the Market Snapshot Instrument Helps Employers

Prompt viability evaluation

Earlier than investing time and sources in ICHRA implementation, employers can instantly decide whether or not this strategy is smart for his or her particular workforce. The software eliminates costly guesswork by offering concrete information about obtainable  ACA-compliant well being plans in every worker’s location.

Precision price range planning

Particular person market premiums are age-rated, that means a 25-year-old and a 55-year-old can pay very completely different quantities for a similar plan. The Market Snapshot Instrument exhibits these variations clearly, enabling employers to design allowances that work for his or her whole workforce—not simply averages.

Multi-location evaluation at scale

For firms with distributed groups, what would usually require weeks of analysis turns into a matter of minutes. As a substitute of manually investigating markets throughout a number of states, employers can shortly assess ICHRA viability for his or her whole workforce in a single session.

Direct price comparability

The software supplies the muse for significant comparisons between present group plan prices and potential ICHRA bills. This apples-to-apples comparability is important for making an knowledgeable monetary determination.

Assured worker communication

Armed with actual market information, employers can have clear, fact-based conversations with staff concerning the transition to ICHRA. When staff perceive that sturdy particular person medical health insurance choices can be found, they’re extra prone to embrace the change.

Tips on how to use the Market Snapshot Instrument successfully

Decoding your outcomes

Sturdy ICHRA markets

Your location is ICHRA-ready if you see:

• 4+ insurance coverage carriers actively competing
• Particular person plans priced 10-30% beneath comparable group plans
• Full spectrum of plan tiers (Bronze via Gold/Platinum)
• Established supplier networks with broad protection
• Secure year-over-year pricing traits

These situations point out staff can have significant selections at aggressive costs.

Markets requiring technique

Proceed with cautious planning if you observe evolving markets that embody:

• 2-3 carriers with restricted competitors
• Combined pricing the place some worker segments save whereas others pay extra
• Geographic disparities inside your workforce
• Restricted Gold/Platinum choices for workers wanting richer advantages

In these conditions, contemplate assorted allowances by location or a hybrid strategy combining ICHRA and group protection.

Evolving markets: Work with an skilled

• Leverage ICHRA consultants at Take Command in the event you observe: 
• Monopoly or duopoly provider markets
• Particular person plans 20%+ dearer than group choices
• Sparse supplier networks limiting entry to care
• Solely Bronze/Silver tiers obtainable

These situations recommend conventional group protection may higher serve your staff’ wants.

Subsequent steps primarily based in your findings

Inexperienced mild situations

When the Market Snapshot Instrument exhibits favorable situations:

1. Request an in depth ICHRA proposal from Take Command with particular pricing on your group
2. Calculate affordability necessities utilizing the 2025 threshold of 9.02% of worker family earnings by way of our ICHRA Affordability Calculator
3. Design your worker lessons with applicable allowances primarily based on location, age, and different permitted elements
4. Set your implementation timeline; ICHRAs can begin any month, triggering particular enrollment for workers

Combined market situations

For organizations seeing assorted outcomes:

• Map out a hybrid technique providing ICHRA the place it is smart and group protection elsewhere
• Design location-based lessons with completely different reimbursement quantities reflecting native prices
• Calculate the general influence to make sure whole financial savings justify the added complexity

When to hunt skilled steerage

Schedule a session with Take Command’s ICHRA specialists to:

• Interpret advanced or borderline outcomes
• Design methods for multi-state workforces
• Navigate compliance necessities and affordability calculations
• Perceive market traits and future projections

Making data-driven ICHRA choices

The Market Snapshot Instrument transforms ICHRA analysis from educated guessing to data-driven technique. In a market rising at 1000% since 2020, with dramatic location-based value variations, flying blind just isn’t an possibility.

The software’s worth extends past easy go/no-go choices. It permits refined methods like location-based allowances, hybrid profit designs, and focused worker communications. For the 83% of employers providing advantages, together with ICHRA, for the primary time, it supplies the arrogance to enter the advantages area. For established employers looking for to regulate prices, it presents the precision to optimize their strategy.

As ICHRA continues its trajectory towards changing into a mainstream advantages resolution, understanding your native market situations is not simply useful—it is important. The distinction between success and failure typically comes down as to whether particular person medical health insurance choices in your staff’ areas can ship on ICHRA’s promise of selection, flexibility, and worth.

Incessantly requested questions

What ACA-compliant well being plans can be found via ICHRA?

All particular person market plans obtainable via ICHRA should be ACA-compliant, that means they cowl important well being advantages together with preventive care, emergency providers, pharmaceuticals, and psychological well being providers. Staff should purchase these ACA-compliant insurance coverage both on public medical health insurance exchanges or straight from insurance coverage carriers. The important thing requirement is that the plan should be particular person protection, not a bunch plan, and should meet all ACA requirements. This ensures staff have entry to complete protection that protects them from catastrophic medical prices.

How do ICHRA choices fluctuate by state?