Small Group & Employer Health Insurance
Independent, unbiased guidance for Florida small businesses comparing traditional group plans, level-funded options, and ICHRA — for 1 to 50 employees and beyond.
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Florida is home to roughly 1.4 million small businesses — the highest concentration of any state in the country — and most offer health coverage voluntarily to attract and retain good employees. Whether you’re setting up your first group plan or reviewing your renewal, NISONA helps Florida employers compare every real option: traditional fully-insured plans, level-funded plans, and ICHRA reimbursement of individual coverage.
Our consultations are always free, and we work for you — not the insurance companies.
In Florida, “small group” means 1 to 50 employees. Once a business grows past 50 full-time equivalent employees, it moves into the large group market and becomes an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) — which triggers the ACA’s employer mandate to offer coverage.
There are three real paths Florida small employers choose from today. We’ll walk you through which one actually fits your business.
Through carriers like Florida Blue, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna. Predictable monthly premiums, HMO and PPO options, and the most straightforward path for most small employers.
Combine group-plan structure with self-funded refund potential. If your group has a healthy claims year, you may get money back — a growing option among Florida small businesses looking to control long-term costs.
You set a fixed reimbursement budget, and employees choose their own plan on the individual ACA Marketplace. Increasingly popular for employers who want predictable costs without picking a single plan for everyone.
Florida small business group premiums increased an average of 12–18% for 2026 — notably less than the roughly 31.5% spike seen on the individual ACA Marketplace this year. That’s because group rating is based on your enrolled employee population and doesn’t depend on the same premium tax credit structure that individual marketplace plans do, which insulated group rates from the recent expiration of enhanced individual subsidies.
✓ Good to know: Aetna’s exit from Florida’s individual ACA Marketplace at the end of 2025 did NOT affect Aetna’s group health plans — Aetna group coverage remains fully available to Florida small businesses in 2026.
Call us at (888) 564-2326 or fill out our contact form. Tell us your employee count and current situation — new group, renewal, or exploring options for the first time.
We look at your employee count, ages, and current coverage (if any) to determine which structural path — fully-insured, level-funded, or ICHRA — actually fits your business.
We get real quotes from multiple carriers and lay out the tradeoffs — premium, network, plan design — in plain English.
Our service is completely free to you — we’re paid by the carrier when your group enrolls, at no extra cost to your business.
Am I required to offer health insurance to my employees?
The ACA employer mandate only applies to businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees. Below that, offering coverage is voluntary — but many Florida small businesses do it anyway to compete for good talent.
Can a small group be denied coverage because of employee health conditions?
No. Florida’s Employee Health Care Access Act requires guaranteed issue for eligible small employers — insurers cannot use your group’s medical history to deny coverage or set premiums.
What’s the difference between a level-funded plan and a traditional group plan?
A traditional fully-insured plan charges a fixed premium regardless of your group’s actual claims. A level-funded plan sets aside funds for expected claims plus administrative costs — if your group’s claims come in lower than expected, you may receive a refund at year-end.
Is there a tax credit available for offering coverage?
Businesses with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees and average wages below a set threshold may qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. We can help you determine if your business qualifies.
Does your service cost my business anything?
No. Our consultations are completely free. We’re compensated by the insurance carrier when your group enrolls, at no additional cost to your business.
We encourage you to review these official resources as part of your decision.
⚠ Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a complete description of coverage or tax benefits. Rules, thresholds, and carrier availability may change. Contact a licensed agent or tax professional for guidance specific to your business. NISONA is an independent insurance agency and is not affiliated with the federal or state government.
No pressure. No obligation. Just clear, honest guidance for your business from a local, licensed advisor.
Nisona serves the insurance needs of the Treasure and Space Coast.