# Understand ICHRA before you choose it. Canonical reader page: https://ichrareport.com/ Publisher: ICHRA Report Originally published: 2026-09-12 Substantively updated: 2026-09-25 Sources checked: 2026-09-25 Data period: Not recorded ICHRA and CHOICE Arrangements, explained [ICHRA](https://ichrareport.com/guides/what-is-ichra/) is an employer-funded health reimbursement arrangement that helps eligible employees pay for qualifying individual health coverage. CMS now calls it a [CHOICE Arrangement](https://ichrareport.com/guides/choice-arrangements/). ICHRA Report explains the rules, costs and administrator options, with sources you can check. [Explore the HRA family](https://ichrareport.com/hra/) · [What changed with the CHOICE name?](https://ichrareport.com/guides/choice-arrangements/) ([CMS terminology](https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/employer-initiatives)) [Start with ICHRA 101](https://ichrareport.com/guides/what-is-ichra/)[Read provider reviews](https://ichrareport.com/providers/) [Offered ICHRA at work? Start with the employee guide.](https://ichrareport.com/guides/ichra-for-employees/) ** Current federal guidance ** Plain-English reviews ** Sources linked What changed **Current ICHRA signals** Plan-year guidance 2027 planning **2027 affordability: 10.22%** The percentage applies to plan years beginning in 2027 and affects employee premium-tax-credit eligibility. [Read the guide](https://ichrareport.com/guides/ichra-affordability-2027/) Provider reviews **14 ICHRA-related services reviewed** Compare provider roles, current public fees and the operating work still requiring a written scope. [See all reviews](https://ichrareport.com/providers/) The bigger picture ## HRA is the family. ICHRA is one type. A health reimbursement arrangement is an employer-funded benefit that repays eligible health expenses. An ICHRA connects that benefit to qualifying individual health insurance or Medicare. Other HRAs serve different needs and follow different rules. [Understand HRAs](https://ichrareport.com/hra/) [Start with the arrangement Which type of HRA is this? Identify ICHRA, QSEHRA, group-integrated and excepted benefit HRAs before applying a contribution or coverage rule. Compare HRA types](https://ichrareport.com/hra/types-of-hra/)[Small employer decision ICHRA or QSEHRA? Compare employer eligibility, contribution limits, insurance requirements and the effect on employee tax credits. Read the comparison](https://ichrareport.com/hra/ichra-vs-qsehra/)[Understand your benefits How is an HRA different from an HSA? See who funds each benefit, what happens to unused money and why HSA eligibility needs a separate check. Compare HRA, HSA and FSA](https://ichrareport.com/hra/hra-vs-hsa-vs-fsa/) Start here ## Begin with the decision in front of you. ICHRA can change an employer’s cost model and an employee’s insurance experience at the same time. These guides explain the decision in the order most teams need to make it. [Browse all guides](https://ichrareport.com/guides/) [01 · Foundation How does an ICHRA work? 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 article](https://ichrareport.com/guides/what-is-ichra/) [02 · Affordability How much should an employer contribute? 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 article](https://ichrareport.com/guides/ichra-affordability-2027/) [03 · Plan design Which employees can be treated differently? 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 article](https://ichrareport.com/guides/employee-classes/) [04 · Provider selection What should an ICHRA provider actually do? 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 article](https://ichrareport.com/guides/how-to-choose-an-ichra-provider/) Latest reporting ## Rules, market changes, and provider news—explained in context. We separate federal rules from industry reports and company announcements, then explain what each development means for employers, brokers, and employees. [View all news](https://ichrareport.com/news/) [Federal Marketplace policy September 24, 2026 CMS paused certain new Marketplace broker registrations for 2027. The federal-platform pause changes an enrollment support path, not ICHRA rules. See who it covers and what an employer should check. Read the report](https://ichrareport.com/news/cms-2027-marketplace-broker-registration-moratorium/) [10.22% Federal update The 2027 affordability threshold is 10.22% What it means](https://ichrareport.com/guides/ichra-affordability-2027/) [43 September 21 · Preliminary lineup Maryland's plan total stayed level while the mix changed See what still needs verification](https://ichrareport.com/news/maryland-2027-individual-market-plan-landscape/) [CHOICE Terminology update Pennie now shows why readers need both CHOICE and ICHRA Understand the names](https://ichrareport.com/guides/choice-arrangements/) New from ICHRA Report ## Evidence you can put to work. Original practical articles, a public pricing audit and a worksheet for the next decision. [Explore all articles](https://ichrareport.com/articles/) [Practical guide 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 article](https://ichrareport.com/guides/ichra-total-cost/)[Original public-source audit ICHRA provider pricing: a six-brand public-source audit Before asking for proposals, see what six ICHRA administrator brands publicly say about service fees. This dated review records published starting prices, minimums and missing information. These are administrator charges, separate from employee insurance premiums and reimbursements. Read article](https://ichrareport.com/research/provider-pricing-transparency-2026/)[Interactive worksheet Compare ICHRA administrator fees For employers and brokers who already have written proposals. Enter up to three administrators' fees to compare monthly and total service costs for the same workforce. You supply the quotes; the worksheet does the arithmetic. Read article](https://ichrareport.com/tools/compare-ichra-quotes/) Provider intelligence ## Compare the evidence before the sales pitch. 14 provider profiles. The same questions about pricing, implementation, employee support, integrations, and the evidence still missing. [Compare Six ICHRA administrators, side by side Use this table to identify companies to investigate for your employer's needs. It compares public information about services and pricing; confirm the details in a demonstration and written proposal before choosing. Read article](https://ichrareport.com/compare/provider-matrix/)[Evaluate Bring better questions to the demo 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 article](https://ichrareport.com/guides/how-to-choose-an-ichra-provider/)[Our method How we research ICHRA and review administrators Use this page to understand what we checked before making a claim. We distinguish government rules, company descriptions, calculations and editorial judgments, and explain what readers should confirm before making a benefits decision. Read article](https://ichrareport.com/methodology/) Provider reviews ## 14 services, reviewed through buyer questions. Each review looks at buyer fit, public fees, operating role and the duties still requiring a written proposal. A scoped profile does not imply verified service outcomes. [See all provider reviews](https://ichrareport.com/providers/) [Savii Modern, distributed, and growing employers](https://ichrareport.com/providers/savii/)[Take Command Small employers through enterprise](https://ichrareport.com/providers/take-command/)[Remodel Health Mid-market, enterprise, and broker-led groups](https://ichrareport.com/providers/remodel-health/)[PeopleKeep Small and midsize employers](https://ichrareport.com/providers/peoplekeep/)[Thatch Technology-forward employers and embedded platforms](https://ichrareport.com/providers/thatch/)[SureCo Large employers, generally 200+ eligible employees](https://ichrareport.com/providers/sureco/)[Zorro Employers and brokers seeking guided plan selection](https://ichrareport.com/providers/zorro/)[benefitbay Broker-led employers seeking payment support](https://ichrareport.com/providers/benefitbay/)[zizzl health Broker-led ICHRA implementations](https://ichrareport.com/providers/zizzl-health/)[StretchDollar Small employers and brokers](https://ichrareport.com/providers/stretchdollar/)[Nexben Employers and brokers comparing shopping and integration channels](https://ichrareport.com/providers/nexben/)[Gravie Employers comparing ICHRA with other benefit designs](https://ichrareport.com/providers/gravie/)[Flyte HCM Employers seeking HR and HRA coordination](https://ichrareport.com/providers/flyte-hcm/)[Decisely Scoped ICHRA-related benefits review](https://ichrareport.com/providers/decisely/) Review steps **5** before a recommendation How we review providers ## We look past the feature list. A good ICHRA provider has to work across plan design, employee enrollment, payroll, carrier payments, compliance, and support. We review the public product story, then identify the questions a buyer still needs answered. **Start with the employer and workforce** Fit **Review the actual product workflow** Experience **Check price and contract visibility** Cost **Look for service and outcome proof** Performance **Call out unanswered questions** Diligence [How our reviews work](https://ichrareport.com/methodology/) Not sure where to start? ## Build your ICHRA evaluation brief in six questions. Get answer-specific next steps, suggested owners, and a provider worksheet you can print or download. [Build my brief](https://ichrareport.com/tools/ichra-readiness/)[Open the checklist](https://ichrareport.com/guides/implementation-checklist/) ## Choose what you need to check ### [Explore insurance prices](https://ichrareport.com/tools/market-explorer/) Choose a county to see published 2026 monthly premiums and plan documents in 30 states. ### [Check published administrator fees](https://ichrareport.com/research/provider-disclosure-monitor/) See what ten brands say publicly about their service charges before asking for written proposals. ### [Share your ICHRA experience](https://ichrareport.com/research/contribute/) Send a short account of your decision or implementation for possible reporting. Nothing is published automatically.