Affordable High-Quality Health Insurance
in North Carolina
Give Employees Choice. Keep Costs Predictable.
ICHRA empowers North Carolina employers to offer personalized health benefits without the unpredictability of traditional group plans. Instead of selecting one plan for everyone, you set a monthly allowance and let each employee choose coverage that fits their needs—while you control your budget.
In today's fast-changing world, employers need more innovative, more affordable ways to provide health insurance. Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) offer a flexible, cost-effective solution for businesses of any size. ICHRA combines the tax advantages of employer-sponsored coverage with the flexibility employees want.
Predictable Costs Set your monthly allowance and budget with confidence: no surprise renewal increases or claims-based adjustments. You decide what you spend—period.
Employee Choice Every employee chooses their own plan based on their doctors, prescriptions, and family needs—not a one-size-fits-all group policy.
ACA Compliance ICHRA satisfies the employer mandate for applicable large employers (50+ FTEs) when structured to meet affordability requirements.
Tax Advantages Employer contributions are tax-deductible. Employee reimbursements are tax-free. Everyone saves compared to after-tax premium payments.
Simpler Administration No more managing renewals, negotiating with carriers, or worrying about participation rates. No carrier restrictions for remote workers. Offer different allowances by employee class. Set allowances and let employees handle the rest.
In today's fast-changing world, employers need more innovative, more affordable ways to provide health insurance. Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) offer a flexible, cost-effective solution for businesses of any size. ICHRA combines the tax advantages of employer-sponsored coverage with the flexibility employees want.
Flexibility Select plans based on your preferred doctors, prescriptions, and family needs—not a one-size-fits-all group policy.
Tax Advantages Employee reimbursements are tax-free. Employer and employee saves compared to after-tax premium payments.
Portable Coverage Employees own their individual plans. If an employee leaves, they keep their coverage—reducing COBRA headaches and improving retention conversations.
Feature | ICHRA | Group Plan |
Predictable employer costs | ✓ | ✗ |
Employee plan choice | ✓ | ✗ |
No participation minimums | ✓ | ✗ |
Available to any employer size | ✓ | ✓ |
No annual renewal negotiations | ✓ | ✗ |
Coverage is portable if the employee leaves | ✓ | ✗ |
Tax-advantaged for employers | ✓ | ✓ |
Satisfies the ACA employer mandate | ✓ | ✓ |
ICHRA flips the traditional model—you fund, they choose.
Decide how much to contribute monthly. You can vary amounts by employee class (full-time, part-time, geography, age).
Each employee selects an ACA-compliant individual plan through the marketplace or directly from a carrier.
Health Plans of NC guides employees through plan selection to help them maximize their allowance.
Employees submit proof of coverage and receive tax-free reimbursements through payroll—automatically.
ICHRA is growing fast.
People currently enrolled nationwide: 500K - 1M
Growth among small employers: 50%+
Growth among large employers: 34%
Customize by Employee Class
Employee Groups
Full-time employees: $500/month
Part-time employees: $250/month
Higher allowance to support employees in states with expensive premiums
Different amounts for employee only versus family coverage
IRS-Approved Class Categories
Full-time vs. part-time
Salary vs. hourly
Geographic location
Seasonal vs. non-seasonal
Employees under 25
Union vs. non-union
ICHRA works for businesses of all sizes. Here's who benefits most:
You've wanted to offer benefits but couldn't meet participation requirements or afford group premiums. ICHRA changes that.
No minimum participation—even if only one employee enrolls
Compete with larger employers for talent
Simple to set up and maintain
Group plan renewals are eating into your budget and limiting your flexibility. ICHRA lets you control costs as you scale.
Meets ACA employer mandate requirements
Offer different allowances by employee class
Escape the renewal increase cycle
Employees in different states need access to local providers and networks. ICHRA makes nationwide benefits simple.
Employees choose plans with their preferred doctors
No group network limitations
Vary allowances by geography if needed
Part-time and seasonal employees have been tough to cover. ICHRA's flexibility changes the equation.
Different classes for FT, PT, and seasonal workers
Coverage starts when you say—no waiting periods required
Employees can keep coverage after seasonal work ends
If you're facing a difficult renewal, or just want to understand your options, we can help.
Custom cost comparison: current plan vs. ICHRA
Analysis by employee age, location, and family status
Employee class structure recommendations
ACA affordability compliance review
Implementation and employee communication support
Blue Cross NC Provider Internal Data; Percentages indicated represent Blue Cross NC’s PPO Network as of May 11, 2018. Note: Not all plans are available in all areas.
U.S. News & World Report, (Accessed September 2017).
Atrium Health, (Accessed September 2018).
NOTICE: Deductibles, coinsurance, limitations and exclusions may apply to coverage. Further costs and details of coverage, limitations and exclusions, and terms under which the policy can be continued in force will be provided in your free information package.
U9144b, 10/18
