Don’t Wait on 2026 Health Insurance Rates: A Playbook for Delco Small Businesses and Individuals
By: Noah Glassman
If you’re a small business or self-employed in Delaware County, here’s the bottom line: early signals point to double-digit health insurance increases for 2026—with individual plans likely to hit even harder. We don’t have official rates yet, but waiting around is the most expensive strategy you can pick.
This post is a quick guide to what I’m seeing and how proactive employers and individuals are responding now, before year-end.
What’s happening in the health insurance market
Rates for 2026: Indications in PA and across the country point to double-digit hikes, higher than we’ve seen in years—especially in the individual market.
Why this matters now: You can’t switch plans inside the same carrier mid-year, but you can switch carriers anytime. That’s how some groups are locking in 2025 pricing for another 12 months. A plan that begins in December of 2025 won’t have a rate change until December 2026.
The Q4 Strategy I’m recommending
1) Lock in 2025 pricing by changing carriers before year-end
If your group renews 1/1, 2/1, or 3/1, you’re in a prime window. Many employers are moving to a different carrier in Nov/Dec to start a fresh 12-month plan at 2025 rates (e.g., 12/2025–12/2026).
You keep coverage continuous.
You buy yourself a year while the 2026–2027 picture becomes clearer.
2) Individual → Small Group (for some owners, this is the move)
With individual plans likely seeing bigger increases, more small business owners are forming group coverage now, even if the group is just family members on payroll (where carriers allow it).
If you’ve avoided group coverage because it sounds complicated, the process is usually simpler than people expect.
Group plans can open up richer networks, better contribution strategies, and cleaner administration versus individual.
Who should act right now
1/1, 2/1, 3/1 renewals: Run competitive quotes with other carriers—not just other plans at your existing carrier.
S-corps, LLCs, family-run shops on individual coverage: Explore group eligibility (payroll + family rules vary by carrier, this can be very doable).
Any small employer who saw big jumps recently: Use a carrier change to reset your plan year and stabilize costs.
“Can we really change carriers mid-year?”
Short answer: Yes, in most cases. You generally can’t change plans within the same carrier during a plan year, but you can move to a different carrier. That’s the lever that lets you secure 2025 pricing for the next 12 months.
What to expect (it’s not as painful as it sounds)
Documents: Census, payroll verification, basic company info.
Timing: Think in weeks, not months. Starting now keeps your options open and ensures a smooth rollout.
Administration: Your broker should quarterback the whole process—implementation, enrollments, ID cards, and the 401(k)/payroll deduction sync.
A simple 2-week action plan
Week 1
Call your broker (or get representation) and say: “We want to evaluate a carrier change to lock in 2025 rates for a 12-month plan.”
Share a clean census and your current plan details. Most small business plans are just based on age.
If you’re on individual coverage, ask: “Do we qualify for small group if family members are on payroll?”
Week 2
4) Review side-by-side options (benefits, networks, Rx, and total employer/employee costs).
5) Pick a carrier and collaborate with your broker on an onboarding strategy.
6) Communicate clearly with employees: what’s changing, why it helps, and how to use the plan. This can’t be stressed enough.
Why acting now gives you leverage later
We don’t know what 2026 or 2027 will look like. But if you build a strong foundation this quarter—locking in 2025 pricing and tightening your admin—you’ll have more choices next year instead of reacting under pressure.
Final word from a Delco neighbor
In a volatile market, staying stagnant costs more. Whether you’re in Media, Upper Darby, Villanova, or anywhere in between, get in front of this. Talk to your broker, look at other carriers, and—if you’re an owner on individual coverage—seriously consider forming a group. It’s often easier than you think, and it puts you back in control.
If you want a quick sanity check or a side-by-side comparison built the way small employers actually make decisions, I’ve got you. That’s why I’m in NextPhase Delco: to help local owners cut through noise and make smart moves—together.
About the Author
Noah Glassman
Noah Glassman is a Senior Partner at Health and Benefits Partners, an employee benefits, payroll and insurance agency serving small and mid-sized businesses. With over 18 years of experience in insurance and financial services, Noah helps employers simplify complex benefit decisions while creating solutions that strengthen both their businesses and the lives of their employees.