Washtenaw County · 2–50 employees
Small business health insurance in Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County
Small, growing teams often start with ICHRA or QSEHRA and move to a group plan later. We help you pick the right first step and plan the next one.
Your info goes to one licensed Michigan advisor, never sold. Not to a call center, not to a list of “partners.”
- Built for growing teams
- Group vs. ICHRA vs. QSEHRA
- Proposed 2027: 9.6% avg
Talk to a benefits advisor
Your info goes to one licensed Michigan advisor at Nexus. Never sold. No pitch, no obligation.
Ann Arbor & Washtenaw employers by size
Washtenaw County had 8,322 establishments in 2023. 4,177 had fewer than 5 employees and 2,081 had 10 to 49, a lot of young, growing companies. Neighboring Wayne and Ingham are shown for comparison.
| County | All establishments | Under 10 employees* | 10–49 employees | 50–499 employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washtenaw | 8,322 | 5,742 | 2,081 | 477 |
| Wayne | 33,699 | 24,161 | 7,417 | 1,966 |
| Ingham | 6,160 | 4,125 | 1,652 | 370 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 (released 2025), all industries. Counts are establishments (business locations) by employees at that location, not companies, so a multi-site employer is counted once per site. *Censusso a multi-site employer is counted once per site.
rsquo;s smallest size class also includes locations with no paid employees in the March pay period.Your options for 2027
- Small-group plan (2–50): one shared plan, community-rated by age and area; see small-business options.
- Level-funded: fixed monthly cost with stop-loss built in; may return a surplus in a good claims year.
- ICHRA: you set a tax-free allowance and employees buy individual plans.
- QSEHRA: a simpler capped allowance for employers under 50 with no group plan.
Renewal on the way? Start with a 2027 renewal audit. Churches and nonprofits have extra rules; see church & nonprofit benefits. Growing past 50? See mid-market benefits.
What employees would pay on their own
Many Ann Arbor employers hire across counties. Washtenaw and Livingston share rating area 4, but the lowest Silver plan at age 40 was $485.12 in Washtenaw vs. $613.32 in Livingston in 2026.
| Where employees live (2026) | Insurers | Plans | Lowest Silver, age 30 | Lowest Silver, age 40 | Lowest Silver, age 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washtenaw | 5 | 59 | $430.84 | $485.12 | $1,030.21 |
| Livingston | 4 | 50 | $544.70 | $613.32 | $1,302.48 |
| Wayne | 5 | 64 | $450.83 | $507.63 | $1,078.03 |
| Oakland | 5 | 64 | $446.43 | $502.68 | $1,067.50 |
Source: CMS QHP Landscape Individual Market Medical file, plan year 2026, computed by county. Monthly full price, one non-tobacco adult. The lowest-cost Silver plan is the one used in the ICHRA affordability test. 2027 prices post when HealthCare.gov window shopping opens.
Proposed 2027 small-group rates
Michigan insurers asked DIFS for an average 9.6% increase for 2027 small-group plans. Nationally, employers in Mercer’s preliminary survey expect total health benefit cost per employee to rise 8.2% after planned changes, or 11% if they change nothing. [DIFS; Mercer, Sep 2, 2026]
| Insurer (small group) | Requested 2027 change | Current enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | 7.0% Proposed | 133,192 |
| Blue Care Network of Michigan | 10.7% Proposed | 133,899 |
| Priority Health | 11.6% Proposed | 87,423 |
| Priority Health Insurance Company | 10.7% Proposed | 2,390 |
| Health Alliance Plan (HAP) | 11.6% Proposed | 22,605 |
| Alliance Health and Life | 11.6% Proposed | 16,845 |
| UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company | 14.8% Proposed | 6,612 |
| UnitedHealthcare Community Plan | 14.5% Proposed | 756 |
| Small-group market total | 9.6% | 403,722 |
Source: Michigan DIFS, “2027 Michigan Health Insurance Rate Change Requests, Small Group Market (as filed, subject to DIFS approval),” updated July 14, 2026. Averages across each insurer’s small-group book; your renewal depends on your plan, employees’ ages, area and contributions.
Networks and local hospitals
Ann Arbor’s major systems are University of Michigan Health and Trinity Health Ann Arbor. [Trinity Health Michigan; U-M Health]
If your team relies on U-M or Trinity Health doctors, we check them in each option. We don’t promise any provider is in a given network.
Our office is in Ada, in West Michigan. Employers in other parts of the state usually work with us by video and phone, and we can meet on site for open enrollment if you need it.
How we work
- Share your employee count, ZIP codes, renewal month and current plan (or that you have none).
- We compare group, level-funded, ICHRA and QSEHRA side by side, using 2027 rates once they’re filed and released.
- You decide. We handle setup and notices, and stay with you through renewals.
We’re paid by the insurer you choose, and we’ll tell you how. Nothing here guarantees a rate or savings.
2-minute advisor Q&A
Ann Arbor small-business benefits
A Nexus advisor answers the questions we hear most. (Video coming soon.)
- We're 8 people. Group plan, ICHRA or QSEHRA?
- How do networks handle U-M Health?
- What changes when we pass 50?
Frequently asked questions
How much are small-group rates going up in Ann Arbor for 2027?
Michigan insurers requested an average 9.6% increase for 2027 small-group plans (as filed, subject to DIFS approval). Your renewal depends on your plan, employees' ages, area and claims for level-funded plans.
How many employees do I need for a group plan in Ann Arbor?
In Michigan the small-group market covers employers with 1 to 50 employees, but most group plans need at least one non-owner employee and insurer participation and contribution minimums. ICHRA and QSEHRA have no participation minimum.
Is ICHRA a good fit for a Ann Arbor business?
It can be. Employees in Washtenaw buy individual plans; in 2026 Washtenaw County had 5 insurers and the lowest Silver plan for a 40-year-old cost $485.12 a month at full price. We model the allowance employee by employee.
Do I have to offer health insurance?
Not if you have fewer than 50 full-time-equivalent employees. Employers with 50 or more can owe $3,780 per full-time employee (after the first 30) if you don't offer coverage to substantially all of them, or $5,670 per full-time employee who gets a Marketplace credit because your coverage wasn't affordable or didn't provide minimum value (IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-22).
What does a review cost?
Nothing. We're paid by the insurer you choose, and we'll explain how. There's no obligation.
Where are you on the benefits ladder?
Keep exploring
Small-business pages by region
- Grand Rapids · Kent & Ottawa
- Detroit metro · Wayne, Oakland & Macomb
- Lansing · Ingham, Eaton & Clinton
Buying coverage for yourself or your family? See Michigan Open Enrollment 2027.