Alabama · Small group · 2027
Alabama Small Group Health Insurance: 2027 Carriers, Plans and Rates
Three carriers filed 2027 small group plans in Alabama. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, VIVA Health and UnitedHealthcare are selling.
Proposed 2027 increases by carrier: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama +7.2%; VIVA Health +10.7%; UnitedHealthcare +17.3% to +17.8%. Regulators can still lower them.
VIVA Health is the only carrier with public 2027 rates. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and UnitedHealthcare need a quote; their rate tables are not public.
Get quotes from all three carriersFree. We quote the carriers that didn't publish prices.
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Which carriers sell small group health plans in Alabama?
| Carrier | Networks and plan types | Where it sells | 2027 plan designs | Proposed 2027 change | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama | Networks and plan typesStatewide PPO, BlueCard outside Alabama; SHOP eligible | Where it sellsAll 67 counties | 2027 plan designsNot public | Proposed 2027 change+7.2% | PricesQuote only |
| VIVA Health | Networks and plan typesVIVA Health HMO (UAB Health System) | Where it sellsStatewide, all 13 rating areas | 2027 plan designs6 | Proposed 2027 change+10.7% | PricesPublic prices |
| UnitedHealthcarePOS: UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. · HMO: UnitedHealthcare of Alabama | Networks and plan types- | Where it sellsNot published in public filings | 2027 plan designsNot public | Proposed 2027 change+17.3% to +17.8% | PricesQuote only |
What each Alabama carrier filed for 2027
| Carrier | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Plan types | New for 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIVA Health | Bronze– | Silver– | Gold– | Platinum– | Plan types- | New for 2027– |
What's changing for Alabama small group health insurance in 2027?
Average proposed 2027 changes range from +7.2% to +17.8%, as filed. Your group's change also depends on employee ages and the plan you pick.
VIVA Health is the only Alabama carrier with a public 2027 small-group rate table. Blue Cross and UnitedHealthcare prices come from a quote.
Alabama still has SHOP medical plans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama offers them, which keeps the small-business tax credit usable.
Blue Cross keeps its seven 2026 plans and VIVA its six. No carrier filed to leave Alabama small group for 2027.
VIVA Health's 2027 prices: the one public price list in Alabama
VIVA Health covers about 1% of Alabama small-group enrollment. Use its prices as a reference point, not a market average.
| Metal | Plans offered here | Lowest | Median | Highest |
|---|
How employee age changes the premium
| Metal | Age 21 | Age 30 | Age 40 | Age 50 | Age 60 | Age 64+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | Age 21– | Age 30– | Age 40– | Age 50– | Age 60– | Age 64+– |
| Gold | Age 21– | Age 30– | Age 40– | Age 50– | Age 60– | Age 64+– |
Lowest VIVA Health price in each of Alabama's 13 rating areas
| Rating area | Lowest Bronze | Lowest Silver | Lowest Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area 1: Calhoun | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 2: Lee | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 3: Bibb, Blount, Chilton and 4 more | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 4: Russell | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 5: Lawrence, Morgan | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 6: Geneva, Henry, Houston | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 7: Colbert, Lauderdale | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 8: Etowah | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 9: Limestone, Madison | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 10: Mobile | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 11: Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes and 1 more | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 12: Greene, Hale, Tuscaloosa | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
| Area 13: Baldwin, Barbour, Bullock and 36 more | Lowest Bronze– | Lowest Silver– | Lowest Gold– |
Alabama small group rules employers ask about
Who counts as a small employer
- 1 to 50 employees, counting full-time and full-time equivalents.
- Owner-only groups generally use the individual market.
Ala. Code; Alabama DOI small employer materials
How premiums are set
- By age, rating area and plan. Alabama does not allow tobacco rating on small-group plans.
- Your group is priced where the business is located.
45 CFR §147.102; Alabama rating rules
When you can enroll
- Any month if you meet participation and contribution rules.
- Miss those rules and you can still enroll November 15 to December 15 for a January 1 start.
45 CFR §147.104
Tax credit and SHOP
- Pays up to 50% of premiums (35% tax-exempt) for fewer than 25 FTEs.
- Alabama has SHOP medical through Blue Cross, so the credit can apply.
IRS Small Business Health Care Tax Credit; CMS SHOP
Alabama small group health insurance FAQ
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, VIVA Health and UnitedHealthcare filed 2027 small-group plans.
Proposed averages run from +7.2% to +17.8%, depending on the carrier. Regulators can still lower them.
Their 2027 rate tables aren't public in the state's filing system. We can quote them for your group.
Usually no. Owner-only groups buy in the individual market. Confirm counting rules with a broker if you have part-time help.
Only VIVA made its 2027 small-group rate table public. Blue Cross and UnitedHealthcare prices come from a quote.
Small group health insurance in other states
- Texas small group health insurance
- Florida small group health insurance
- Tennessee small group health insurance
- Georgia small group health insurance
- Michigan small group health insurance
- North Carolina small group health insurance
- Maryland small group health insurance
- Virginia small group health insurance
- Louisiana small group health insurance
- Mississippi small group health insurance
- South Carolina small group health insurance
- Arkansas small group health insurance
- Arizona small group health insurance
Buying for yourself or your family instead? See the Marketplace plan directory.
Where these numbers come from
- Rates: each carrier's 2027 small-group Rates Table Template, filed in SERFF with the state insurance department, rates effective January 1, 2027. Plan names, metal levels and plan types: the carriers' Unified Rate Review Templates.
- Proposed rate changes: ratereview.healthcare.gov, small group, plan year 2027.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama: SERFF BSOA-135016690; actuarial memo
- UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company: SERFF UHLC-135020706; actuarial memo; rate justification
- UnitedHealthcare of Alabama, Inc.: SERFF UHLC-135020723; actuarial memo; rate justification
- VIVA Health: SERFF VIVA-135009600; actuarial memo
- Share of enrollment with public prices: CMS Unified Rate Review data, 2026 projected small-group member-months.
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 482-1-116 (Small Employer Allocation Program)
- HealthCare.gov: Qualify for SHOP
- BCBSAL 2026 Small Business Health Plans
- BCBSAL 2027 small-group actuarial memo
- VIVA Health 2027 small-group actuarial memo
- 45 CFR §147.104 (enrollment windows)
- 45 CFR §147.102 (rating)
- CMS Market Rating Reforms
- IRS Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
- ratereview.healthcare.gov AL 2027 Small Group
Reviewed by Jacob Guidi, licensed health insurance agent (NPN 19902041), Thrive Benefits Group.
Thrive Benefits Group is a licensed broker, not a carrier or government agency. Rates shown are filed 2027 rates for one employee before the employer contribution. Your group's quote depends on employee ages, location, plan choice and carrier rules. Proposed rate changes can still be lowered by regulators.