How much are small group rates going up in Arizona for 2027?

Proposed averages run from +10.3% to +34.5%, depending on the carrier. Arizona’s insurance department reviews rates for reasonableness but doesn’t approve or reject them.

Can an owner-only Arizona business buy small-group coverage?

Not in the regular small-group market. Arizona requires at least two eligible employees, and the owner counts as one. A 2026 law lets insurers choose to cover groups of one through a qualifying association or chamber of commerce. Ask your broker.

Are Arizona's 2027 small-group rates final?

Not yet. Arizona carriers file their rates and the state reviews them for reasonableness; the averages here are the filed figures. The state usually posts final changes in the fall.

Is Cigna leaving Arizona small group?

No. Cigna is leaving Arizona's individual market for 2027, but both of its small-group companies filed 2027 rates and said no plans are ending.

Can I use SHOP in Arizona?

Not for 2027. No carrier filed Arizona small-group plans for the SHOP exchange, so buy directly from a carrier or through a broker.

Arizona · Small group · 2027

Arizona Small Group Health Insurance: 2027 Carriers, Plans and Rates

Updated October 9, 2026

Six carriers filed 2027 small group plans in Arizona. AZ Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona), UnitedHealthcare, Banner|Aetna, Cigna Healthcare, Aetna and Imperial Health Plan are selling.

Proposed 2027 increases run from about +10.3% (Cigna Healthcare) to about +34.5% (Banner|Aetna). The carriers table lists every brand. Arizona’s insurance department reviews rates for reasonableness but doesn’t approve or reject them.

Public 2027 pricesabout 0% of Arizona small-group enrollment

No carrier made 2027 small-group dollar rates public in Arizona. Proposed percent changes below come from federal rate review filings; get a quote for premiums.

Get quotes from all six carriersFree. We quote the carriers that didn't publish prices.

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Which carriers sell small group health plans in Arizona?

One row per brand. Proposed change is each company's average as filed on ratereview.healthcare.gov. Arizona’s insurance department reviews rates for reasonableness but doesn’t approve or reject them.
Carrier	Networks and plan types	Where it sells	2027 plan designs	Proposed 2027 change	Prices
AZ Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona)	Networks and plan typesStatewide/National PPO, Statewide HMO, AllianceConnect PPO/HMO, Prosano Health plans	Where it sellsStatewide; AllianceConnect in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal	2027 plan designsNot public	Proposed 2027 change+20.5%	PricesQuote only
UnitedHealthcarePPO: UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. · HMO: UnitedHealthcare of Arizona	Networks and plan typesChoice Plus PPO, Choice HMO	Where it sellsNot published in public filings	2027 plan designsNot public	Proposed 2027 change+15.6% to +15.9%	PricesQuote only
Banner\|AetnaPPO/OAMC: Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Co. · HMO: Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan	Networks and plan typesBanner Performance (Open Access Managed Choice), Broad PPO, Open HMO	Where it sellsNot published in public filings	2027 plan designsNot public	Proposed 2027 change+31.1% to +34.5%	PricesQuote only
Cigna HealthcarePPO: Cigna Health and Life Insurance Co. · HMO: Cigna HealthCare of Arizona	Networks and plan typesPPO and HMO	Where it sellsAll seven rating areas	2027 plan designsNot public	Proposed 2027 change+10.3% to +11.1%	PricesQuote only
AetnaPPO: Aetna Life Insurance Co. · HMO/POS: Aetna Health Inc.	Networks and plan typesAetna PPO, HMO/POS	Where it sellsNot published in public filings	2027 plan designsNot public	Proposed 2027 change+33.4% to +33.6%	PricesQuote only
Imperial Health Plan	Networks and plan typesHMO (SG Preferred Bronze, Silver, Gold)	Where it sellsNot published in public filings	2027 plan designsNot public	Proposed 2027 change–	PricesQuote only

What's changing for Arizona small group health insurance in 2027?

Average proposed 2027 changes range from +10.3% to +34.5%, as filed. Your group's change also depends on employee ages and the plan you pick.
AZ Blue asked about 20%, UnitedHealthcare about 16%, and Cigna about 10% to 11%. The member-weighted average is near 20%.
Banner|Aetna asked about 31% to 35%, and Aetna's own plans about 33%.
AZ Blue adds AllianceConnect PPO and HMO plans in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties, plus an HSA plan with Prosano Health care centers.

View from the Echo Canyon trail on Camelback Mountain over Phoenix and Paradise Valley at sunset, with saguaro cactus and red rock

Arizona small group rules employers ask about

Who counts as a small employer

2 to 50 eligible employees on a typical business day.
A working owner counts, so an owner plus one employee can qualify. Owner-only businesses can't buy regular small-group coverage.

A.R.S. § 20-2301

How premiums are set

By age (federal 3:1 curve), tobacco up to 1.5:1, county-based rating area and plan.
Composite (averaged) premiums are allowed.
Carriers re-rate during the year, so your renewal month matters.

45 CFR §147.102; CMS state rating; CMS Arizona rating areas

Who sets the rates

Arizona carriers file their rates and can use them; the state reviews them for reasonableness but doesn't approve them.
2027 figures here are the filed (proposed) averages.

SERFF filing mode; DIFI rate review

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

The credit needs a SHOP plan.
No Arizona small-group plan is sold through SHOP for 2027, so the credit isn't practical.

IRS Small Business Health Care Tax Credit; CMS rate review

Arizona small group health insurance FAQ

AZ Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona), UnitedHealthcare, Banner|Aetna, Cigna Healthcare, Aetna and Imperial Health Plan filed 2027 small-group plans.
Proposed averages run from +10.3% to +34.5%, depending on the carrier. Arizona’s insurance department reviews rates for reasonableness but doesn’t approve or reject them.
Their 2027 rate tables aren't public in the state's filing system. We can quote them for your group.
Not in the regular small-group market. Arizona requires at least two eligible employees, and the owner counts as one. A 2026 law lets insurers choose to cover groups of one through a qualifying association or chamber of commerce. Ask your broker.
Not yet. Arizona carriers file their rates and the state reviews them for reasonableness; the averages here are the filed figures. The state usually posts final changes in the fall.
No. Cigna is leaving Arizona's individual market for 2027, but both of its small-group companies filed 2027 rates and said no plans are ending.
Not for 2027. No carrier filed Arizona small-group plans for the SHOP exchange, so buy directly from a carrier or through a broker.

Small group health insurance in other states

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.
Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc.: actuarial memo; rate justification
UnitedHealthcare of Arizona, Inc.: actuarial memo; rate justification
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc.: actuarial memo; rate justification
Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company: actuarial memo; rate justification
Aetna Health Inc. (a PA corp.): actuarial memo; rate justification
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company: actuarial memo; rate justification
Aetna Life Insurance Company: actuarial memo; rate justification
Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company: actuarial memo
Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc: actuarial memo
Share of enrollment with public prices: CMS Unified Rate Review data, 2026 projected small-group member-months.
A.R.S. § 20-2301 (definitions)
A.R.S. § 20-2311 (rating practices)
HB 2693 (Laws 2026, Ch. 107), bona fide associations
45 CFR §147.104 (enrollment windows)
CMS Market Rating Reforms
CMS Arizona geographic rating areas
IRS Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
ratereview.healthcare.gov AZ 2027 Small Group
CMS URR PUF plan year 2026
DIFI health insurance rates
ACASignups: 2027 Arizona rate changes

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. Arizona’s insurance department reviews rates for reasonableness but doesn’t approve or reject them.