Arkansas Small Group Health Insurance 2027: How to Choose

Arkansas · Small group · 2027

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

Updated October 9, 2026

Three carriers filed 2027 small group plans in Arkansas. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, QualChoice and UnitedHealthcare are selling. We found no 2027 Health Advantage (Arkansas Blue Cross affiliate) small-group filing.

Proposed 2027 increases by carrier: QualChoice +7.0% to +7.1%; UnitedHealthcare +9.0% to +11.7%; Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield +9.4%. Regulators can still lower them.

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 Arkansas?

One row per brand. Proposed change is each company's average as filed on ratereview.healthcare.gov. Regulators can still lower them.
CarrierNetworks and plan typesWhere it sells2027 plan designsProposed 2027 changePrices
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue ShieldNetworks and plan typesArkansas Blue Cross PPO with BlueCard PPO; HSA plansWhere it sellsStatewide; CHI St. Vincent out of network since Sept. 1, 20262027 plan designsNot publicProposed 2027 change+9.4%PricesQuote only
QualChoicePOS: QCA Health Plan, Inc. · PPO: QualChoice Life and Health Insurance Co.Networks and plan typesQualChoice POS and PPO, QCNN optionsWhere it sellsNot published in public filings2027 plan designsNot publicProposed 2027 change+7.0% to +7.1%PricesQuote only
UnitedHealthcarePOS: UHC Insurance Co. of the River Valley (Heritage Plus) · POS: UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. (Choice Plus)Networks and plan typesHeritage Plus and Choice Plus POSWhere it sellsNot published in public filings2027 plan designsNot publicProposed 2027 change+9.0% to +11.7%PricesQuote only
Health Advantage (Arkansas Blue Cross affiliate)Networks and plan typesRenewals of pre-2014 plans onlyWhere it sells–2027 plan designs–Proposed 2027 change–PricesNo 2027 filing

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

  1. Average proposed 2027 changes range from +7.0% to +11.7%, as filed. Your group's change also depends on employee ages and the plan you pick.

  2. QualChoice's two companies asked for about 7% after about 13% in 2026. Arkansas Blue Cross asked for about 9.4%, UnitedHealthcare about 9% to 12%.

  3. Since September 1, 2026, CHI St. Vincent's four hospitals (Little Rock, Sherwood, Morrilton, Hot Springs) and its clinics are out of network for Arkansas Blue Cross and Health Advantage plans.

  4. Groups still on older Arkansas Blue Cross, Health Advantage or QualChoice (QCA) plans renew at approved increases of about 9% to 10%. New employers can't buy those plans.

Little Rock, Arkansas skyline and Junction Bridge reflected in the Arkansas River

Arkansas small group rules employers ask about

Who counts as a small employer

  • 2 to 50 employees under Arkansas law.
  • Owner-only businesses don't qualify.
  • Affiliated companies count as one employer.

Arkansas small-employer statute; Arkansas Insurance Department

How premiums are set

  • By age (federal 3:1 curve), tobacco up to 1.2:1, rating area and plan.
  • Composite (averaged) premiums are allowed.
  • Seven rating areas, by county.

CMS state rating table; 45 CFR §147.102

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 pays up to 50% of premiums (35% tax-exempt) for fewer than 25 FTEs, but only through SHOP.
  • Arkansas has no SHOP medical plans for 2027.

IRS Small Business Health Care Tax Credit; 2027 rate filings

Arkansas small group health insurance FAQ

  1. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, QualChoice and UnitedHealthcare filed 2027 small-group plans.

  2. Proposed averages run from +7.0% to +11.7%, depending on the carrier. Regulators can still lower them.

  3. Their 2027 rate tables aren't public in the state's filing system. We can quote them for your group.

  4. Generally no. Arkansas small group starts at two employees, and a plan that covers only the owner isn't a group plan under federal rules. Owners on their own usually look at individual Marketplace plans.

  5. Not since September 1, 2026. CHI St. Vincent left the networks of Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliated plans, including Health Advantage. Some members can get up to 90 days of continuity of care; ask the carrier.

  6. Not yet. The figures here are what carriers asked for. The Arkansas Insurance Department reviews them and can lower them before renewals go out.

  7. Not for 2027. Every small-group carrier sells off-exchange, so employers buy through a broker or directly from the carrier.

Small group health insurance in other states

Buying for yourself or your family instead? See the Marketplace plan directory.

Where these numbers come from

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.