Accept, with eyes open
Sometimes the renewal is fair. A written review tells you if it is, so you can sign without second-guessing.
Moran Insurance Group
Licensed Insurance Brokers
Call us today
863-270-9820
A step-by-step way to read the renewal, separate the causes, and decide whether to accept, change or shop it.
Projected 2027 rise in employer cost per employee after planned changes (preliminary).
What employers said costs would rise with no changes.
Other 2027 projections before cost-cutting changes.
Average annual family premium at work in 2025.
National projections describe the market, not your plan. Your renewal reflects your own carrier, state, people and, at larger sizes, your claims.
Sources: Mercer: health benefit costs expected to jump in 2027 (preliminary); PlanSponsor: 2027 employer cost projections; KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey.
A renewal usually shows new rates by coverage tier, any plan changes the carrier is making, and the effective date. Larger groups often get a rate exhibit with the factors behind the number. Before reacting to the percentage, check three things: did the plan itself change, did your census change, and is the increase the same for every tier?
| Your size | Rates | Your real levers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 50 (to 100 in New York) | Filed small group rates; not usually negotiable | Plan design, contribution strategy, a different carrier, level funding or ICHRA |
| 51 to 249 | Can be negotiated with data and time | Claims data, a market check, funding changes, plan design |
| 250 and up | Negotiated, often through a formal marketing | All of the above, plus stop-loss and pharmacy contract terms on self-funded plans |
Sometimes the renewal is fair. A written review tells you if it is, so you can sign without second-guessing.
A different deductible, an HSA-eligible option or a second plan can soften the increase without changing carriers.
Compare the leading available carriers on the same census and benefits, including networks and drug coverage.
Level funded, self-funded or ICHRA can change the math entirely for the right group. Level funding generally isn’t available to New York groups of 100 or fewer.
Renewals often arrive 60 to 90 days before the effective date. Small groups can usually shop within that window. Larger groups that want to negotiate or change funding should start 120 to 180 days ahead. If you are late, start anyway: there is almost always something to improve.
Do not email employee medical details while you shop. Ask for a secure link instead.
Not the rates themselves in most small group markets, because they are filed and apply to everyone. Your levers are plan design, contribution strategy, a different carrier, or a different funding model.
Often, yes. With claims experience, a credible market check and enough time, a large group can push back on assumptions in the renewal. Start 120 to 180 days before the effective date.
You still have options: plan design changes, contribution changes, and sometimes a carrier change if applications can be completed in time. We will tell you plainly what is realistic.
Only after comparing networks, drug coverage and total cost, not just premium. A cheaper plan that drops your employees’ doctors or key drugs is not a saving.
Upload your renewal. Within 5 business days of receiving it, our team sends a written review of what changed and what we would do.
The review is advisory. It is not a carrier quote or a guarantee of savings.