Florida employers with 2 to 50 employees
Small business health insurance in Florida, before your 2027 renewal lands.
Small-group insurers asked for a median 14% increase for 2027, the steepest in more than a decade. See what that means for your business, then let us shop the alternatives.
What will your renewal cost?
Enter your monthly premiumto see your 2027 cost
Why your premium keeps climbing
This is not your imagination, and it is not just your carrier. The whole small-group market is under pressure.
The part most owners don’t hear: healthier groups are leaving fully insured plans for level-funded ones. That leaves a sicker, more expensive pool behind, which pushes the next renewal even higher for everyone who stays. If your group is relatively healthy, you may be paying for other companies’ claims.
Sources: Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, How much and why premiums are going up for small businesses in 2027 (August 2026); KFF, 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey.
Three ways to cover your team in Florida
Each path works differently. Here is what actually happens, step by step.
Fully insured small group (ACA)
Guaranteed coverage with no health questions. Predictable, but it carries the whole market’s rate increases.
- 1EligibleAt least one employee who isn’t an owner or spouse, in Florida
- 2ApplyEmployee list, business details and your contribution
- 3EnrolledCoverage starts; rates are set by age, ZIP and plan
Best for: groups with significant health conditions, or owners who want zero surprises.
Level-funded
Priced on your group’s own health. If your claims run lower than expected, part of the difference can come back to you.
- 1Health questionsEmployees complete a short questionnaire
- 2ApprovedThe carrier reviews your group and offers a fixed monthly rate
- 3EnrolledYou pay one steady amount; stop-loss protects you from big claims
- 4Surplus backAt year end, unused claims money may be refunded or credited
Best for: relatively healthy groups, usually 5 or more employees, that want to stop paying for the market. Surplus terms vary by carrier. How level-funded plans work
ICHRA
No group plan at all. You set a tax-free monthly allowance and employees choose their own individual plan.
- 1Set your budgetA fixed monthly amount per employee class
- 2Employees chooseEach picks an individual plan through HealthCare.gov or a carrier
- 3Set and forgetYou reimburse up to the allowance; your cost never jumps at renewal
Best for: owners who want a fixed, predictable cost, or teams spread across states. No participation minimums, and in Florida employees choose from the country’s largest individual market. ICHRA for small business
Which path fits your business?
| Fully insured | Level-funded | ICHRA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health questions | None | Yes, for the group | None |
| Can you be declined? | No | Yes | No |
| Money back if claims are low | No | Often, carrier terms vary | No, but you never pay more than your allowance |
| Renewal risk | Market-wide increases | Based on your own claims | You set the budget each year |
| Employee choice | Your chosen plans | Your chosen plans | Each employee picks |
Not sure? Send us your renewal and census. We’ll price all three side by side, so you’re comparing real numbers, not brochures. Comparing HRA options too? See QSEHRA vs ICHRA.
Why owners work with us
- Independent. We compare Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and other carriers, not one company’s plans.
- All three paths priced. Most agents only sell fully insured. We quote level-funded and ICHRA next to it.
- Renewal reviews. Send your renewal letter 60 to 90 days before it takes effect and we will tell you whether to stay, negotiate or move.
- No cost to you. Carriers pay us; your premium is the same either way.
Florida details that matter
- Florida small-group plans generally cover employers with up to 50 employees; each carrier sets its own minimum group size.
- Florida has the largest ACA individual market in the country, which gives an ICHRA an unusually deep bench of plans for your employees to choose from.
- Carriers set minimum participation and employer contribution rules, so check them before you plan your budget.
- Rates vary by ZIP code across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Orlando and Jacksonville.
Questions Florida owners ask
How much does small business health insurance cost in Florida?
It depends on your employees’ ages, your ZIP code and the plans you choose. Nationally, employer family coverage averaged $26,993 a year in 2025, with employers paying most of it. The fastest way to a real number is a quote on your own census, which we can run across fully insured, level-funded and ICHRA options.
Can a business with two employees get group health insurance in Florida?
Usually, yes. Florida small-group plans generally cover employers with up to 50 employees, and each carrier sets its own minimum. Very small groups often find ICHRA or QSEHRA simpler, so we price those too.
What is a level-funded health plan?
A level-funded plan charges a fixed monthly amount that covers expected claims, stop-loss protection and administration. Because it is priced on your group’s health, healthier groups often pay less, and if claims run low, part of the unused money may come back at year end, depending on the carrier.
When should we start shopping before our renewal?
Ideally 60 to 90 days before your renewal date. Level-funded options need health questionnaires and underwriting time, so starting early keeps every option open.
Does it cost anything to work with you?
No. Insurance carriers pay agents a commission, and your premium is the same whether you buy through us or directly.
Don’t just sign the renewal.
Send it to us first. We’ll price every path your group qualifies for and show you the numbers side by side, at no cost.