09/01/2026
ICHRA Is Not Just Extra Cash
ICHRA MYTH: “The employer just gives employees money to buy insurance.”
ICHRA FACT: An ICHRA is a formal, employer-funded health reimbursement arrangement. The employer establishes eligibility and reimbursement rules, employees must maintain qualifying individual health coverage, and eligible expenses are reimbursed according to the plan—not handed out as unrestricted cash.
A compliant setup may involve plan documents, required notices, substantiation, administration, and coordination with individual enrollment. That structure is what helps create a legitimate employee benefit.
ICHRA can be flexible, but it should be designed around the workforce, the budget, and the employer’s responsibilities.
Considering a change for next year? Let’s talk through the moving parts before you decide.