2026 Health Plans Are Now Live in Venteur’s ICHRA Quoting Portal

If you're an employer or a broker exploring new health benefits, you've likely encountered the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA).

An ICHRA is a benefit solution that allows employers to provide a fixed, tax-free allowance for employees to buy their own health insurance on the individual market. It's a modern alternative to traditional group health plans, offering greater flexibility and control over costs.

What Health Plans Can Employees Choose via an ICHRA?

It’s a common worry: will employees have limited options or struggle to find a plan they like? The short answer, based on the latest 2026 data, is no—choice remains strong.

That's why Venteur has launched a free, live ICHRA Plan Preview tool, powered by 2026 insurance plan data. This tool gives employers and brokers a transparent look at the health plans available under a Venteur ICHRA before making any commitment.

With our portal, you can:

• View all available plans: See every qualified health plan offered in your area.
• Sort by carrier and plan type: Filter results to find the right coverage.
• Add family members: Explore plan options for the entire household.

📈 2026 Marketplace Trends at a Glance

Pricing and Geographic Variation

The national average marketplace premium increased by 20.6% for 2026, rising from $463.52 in 2025 to $559.17 in 2026. However, this national number is highly misleading. Prices vary significantly by region, with some states actually seeing premium decreases (parts of Alaska) and others seeing large jumps (parts of the South and Midwest).

• Takeaway for Employers: ICHRA costs will depend heavily on where your employees live. Don't rely on national averages. Looking at local market variation is key to creating a sustainable ICHRA budget.

Carrier Choice Remains Robust

The number of carriers available on Healthcare.gov for 2026 is 358, a slight dip from 384 last year. While some familiar carriers are exiting, many reported "exits" are simply rebrands or consolidations. Importantly, new carriers are entering and existing ones are expanding in several states, which increases overall competition.

• Takeaway for Employers: Employees using an ICHRA still have a wide range of carrier options. This increased competition helps keep prices in check and gives you confidence that employees will find plans that fit their needs.

On- vs. Off-Exchange Plans: The Flexibility Advantage

Health plans are sold in two places:

1. On-Exchange: Through government marketplaces (e.g., Healthcare.gov or a state's exchange).
2. Off-Exchange: Directly from insurance carriers.

A key distinction this year is that off-exchange plans are generally less expensive than on-exchange plans, though this isn't universal.

• Takeaway for Employers: With an ICHRA, employees are not limited to marketplace plans. They can often find better deals, broader networks, or better benefits by shopping off-exchange (meaning: directly from the carrier), which can translate into lower costs for your budget and better coverage for your team.

New ICHRA-Specific Options Emerge

We are seeing more carriers launch plans specifically designed for ICHRAs, which often include PPO networks built for portability and multi-state coverage. This signals that the market is maturing and adapting directly to ICHRA users.

• Takeaway for Employers: The market is evolving to support ICHRAs. Expect smoother integration and plan designs that work better for diverse or remote teams.

Kaiser vs. Ambetter: A New Price Floor

Historically, Ambetter often offered the lowest prices in many markets. For 2026, Kaiser is often coming in lower where it operates, giving employees access to more affordable, high-value plans.

• Takeaway for Employers: Competition from carriers like Kaiser supports more sustainable ICHRA budgets over time, as employees may be able to secure quality coverage for less money.

👀 See It for Yourself

The data shows that ICHRA participants will continue to have meaningful choice among carriers, metal tiers, and networks. They are not "stuck" with limited plans.

Our quoting portal makes it simple to see these options firsthand. Visit quoting.venteur.com today to start discovering the health plans available to you!