Understand ICHRA, one decision at a time
New to ICHRA or CHOICE Arrangements? CMS uses CHOICE as the new name for ICHRA. Start with that explanation, then choose a guide about costs, coverage, employee rules or implementation.
CMS now calls an individual coverage HRA (ICHRA) a CHOICE Arrangement. What changed with the CHOICE name? (CMS terminology)
Looking for CHOICE Arrangements?
CMS now uses CHOICE for individual coverage HRAs. Start with the naming guide, then use the ICHRA resources below for your next decision.
From a difficult renewal to a confident next step.
Eight original articles for employers, employees and brokers. Start with the question in front of you.
What Does ICHRA Actually Cost?
An employer's ICHRA budget includes employee reimbursements, administrator fees and the work needed to operate the benefit. Employees may still owe part of their insurance premium and costs when receiving care. This guide separates those costs before you compare options.
Read articleCan I Keep My Doctor With ICHRA?
Whether you can keep your doctor depends on the individual insurance plan you choose. Learn how to check the exact plan's network, hospital access and prescription coverage before enrolling; a familiar insurer name alone is not enough.
Read articleWhen Keeping Group Health Insurance May Be the Better Decision
An employer comparing ICHRA should also examine reasons to keep group health insurance. Use this guide to assess employee coverage, costs and the work involved in a change before deciding whether switching would solve the actual problem.
Read articleYour Health Plan Renewal Increased. How Should You Evaluate ICHRA?
A higher group health-plan renewal price is a reason to compare options carefully. Use the same workforce and time period to compare keeping the plan, changing group coverage and offering ICHRA, including the costs employees would face.
Read articleThe Same ICHRA Allowance, Three Different Employee Experiences
The same employer contribution can leave employees with different amounts to pay for insurance. These fictional examples show how the allowance, the actual reimbursement and the remaining premium differ. They illustrate arithmetic, not real employee outcomes.
Read articleHow to Compare Three ICHRA Provider Quotes Fairly
Have proposals from ICHRA administrators? Compare what each would charge for the same employees and services. This guide explains per-person charges, minimum fees and setup costs so you can make a fair comparison.
Read articleWhat Happens Between Choosing a Plan and Actually Having Coverage?
Choosing a health plan is one step toward having active insurance. Learn how to confirm enrollment, make any required first payment and verify the coverage start date, so a selected plan is not mistaken for active coverage.
Read articleThe First ICHRA Renewal: What Employers Should Measure
Preparing to renew an ICHRA for the first time? Compare what you planned with actual employer spending, employee participation, active coverage and feedback. Use those findings to decide what needs to change for the next year.
Read articleFrom first explanation to implementation.
No guide assumes ICHRA is automatically better. The objective is to determine whether the arrangement works for a specific workforce and whether the execution plan can support it.
CHOICE Arrangements: the new name for ICHRA
CMS now uses CHOICE Arrangements for individual coverage HRAs, or ICHRAs. Understand the naming change, the existing framework and where to go next for rules, costs and coverage decisions.
Read guideICHRA affordability in 2027
ICHRA affordability is a legal test that can affect an employee's access to Marketplace premium tax credits, which help pay insurance premiums. For plan years beginning in 2027, the percentage is 10.22%. Follow the worked example and identify what must be checked for your situation.
Read guideWhat is an ICHRA?
ICHRA stands for Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement. An employer sets a reimbursement benefit, and employees obtain qualifying individual coverage. This guide explains how insurance, employer contributions, reimbursement and employee responsibilities fit together.
Read guideICHRA affordability in 2026
ICHRA affordability is a legal test that can affect an employee's access to Marketplace premium tax credits, which help pay insurance premiums. For plan years beginning in 2026, the percentage is 9.96%. This guide explains the calculation and the separate employer rules.
Read guideICHRA employee classes
An employee class is a permitted category an employer can use when designing benefits, such as full-time or part-time employees. Learn which categories are allowed and what restrictions apply before offering different benefits to different groups.
Read guideICHRA vs. group health insurance
With group coverage, an employer offers a group health plan. With ICHRA, an employer offers reimbursement toward qualifying individual coverage. Compare how those approaches affect employer costs, employee plan choice, local coverage and administration.
Read guideICHRA pros and cons
Considering ICHRA for your company? Compare the possible benefits of employer-set contributions and individual plan choice with the work and coverage tradeoffs employees and your team would face. The result depends on your workforce and local plans.
Read guideICHRA for employers
ICHRA lets an employer offer reimbursement toward employees' qualifying individual coverage. Use this guide to evaluate whether that approach can work for your workforce, compare costs and employee coverage, and organize the steps needed to launch it.
Read guideICHRA for brokers
Helping an employer evaluate ICHRA? Work through employee information, local insurance options, contribution choices and administrator responsibilities. This guide organizes the questions and evidence needed for a client recommendation and later renewal review.
Read guideICHRA for employees
Offered an ICHRA at work? Your employer offers reimbursement, and you obtain qualifying insurance. Understand what could improve, what could cost more and what to check before you enroll.
Read guideHow to choose an ICHRA provider
An ICHRA administrator helps your company run the benefit. Before choosing one, establish who will handle enrollment, reimbursements, employee questions and launch tasks. Use this guide to request evidence and complete pricing from each candidate.
Read guideICHRA implementation checklist
Planning to introduce ICHRA? Use this checklist to assign the work: evaluate employee impact, design the benefit, review required notices, support enrollment and confirm payments and active coverage. Dates and responsibilities must be confirmed for your actual launch.
Read guideNew to ICHRA?
Read the foundation guide, then affordability and employee classes. Those three pages explain the mechanism, the largest employee financial consequence, and the main plan-design boundaries.
Comparing providers?
Use the provider-selection guide before reviewing vendor demos. It gives you a shared evidence request so every provider answers the same questions.
Understand HRA before choosing a type
ICHRA belongs to the wider HRA family. Compare HRA types, QSEHRA and health savings benefits in the HRA library.
Read the HRA guide