Custom Health Plans, Inc.

Custom Health Plans, Inc. twitter.com/richardmonello

Founded by Richard Monello, CHP was formed with one purpose in mind: to create the most cost-effective, affordable health insurance solutions available for individuals, families, small businesses and the self employed. Custom Health Plans is a full-service Texas health insurance broker providing affordable Texas health insurance solutions to individuals, families, small businesses and the self emp

loyed. Based in Dallas, TX, our team of professionals has more than 30 years of experience in the health insurance and financial services fields. Our integrated suite of online services and partnerships with top health insurance carriers positions us to offer the highest level of service and guarantees the best rates and coverage.

Ever spent hours on hold with insurance companies just trying to get a straight answer?A licensed broker does all of tha...
04/13/2026

Ever spent hours on hold with insurance companies just trying to get a straight answer?

A licensed broker does all of that for free.

They compare plans from BCBS Texas, Cigna, Aetna, UHC, and Humana side by side in one conversation.

Your premium doesn't change. Brokers are paid by the carrier, not you.

For Texas businesses with 2–50 employees, that's a lot of time and guesswork saved.

Costs are climbing fast.

A free comparison is worth 30 minutes.

Have you ever worked with a broker? What was your experience?

You Googled "small business health insurance cost."Every answer said "it depends."Here's the real number: $350–$850/empl...
04/06/2026

You Googled "small business health insurance cost."

Every answer said "it depends."

Here's the real number: $350–$850/employee/month in Texas.

Depends on your team's ages, zip code, plan type, and carrier.

The part that surprises most owners?

You don't have to pick a traditional group plan.

HRAs let employees choose their own coverage with a tax-free allowance. Level-funded plans reward healthy teams. The SHOP marketplace unlocks a tax credit up to 50%.

Premiums jumped 6% last year. Compare now, not at renewal.

What's worked (or not worked) for your team?

Searched "small business health insurance Texas" and hit a wall?That's not your fault.Most results don't apply to one-em...
04/03/2026

Searched "small business health insurance Texas" and hit a wall?

That's not your fault.

Most results don't apply to one-employee businesses.

Here's the short version of what actually works:

QSEHRA — Reimburse your employee up to $6,450/year, tax-free.

ICHRA — Same idea, no cap on reimbursements.

Individual plans — 95% of Texas enrollees qualified for subsidies last year.

A broker compares all of it at no added cost to you.

Same premium. Way less confusion.

Have you found a coverage setup that works for your business? Drop it in the comments 👇

If you're a small business owner in Texas, here's something worth knowing before your next renewal:You're not required t...
03/25/2026

If you're a small business owner in Texas, here's something worth knowing before your next renewal:

You're not required to offer health insurance if you have fewer than 50 employees. But 88% of employees say health benefits are the most important perk a job can offer. That's not a small number.

The good news is coverage doesn't have to be expensive. Bronze-tier plans start around $350 per employee per month. Silver plans — the most common choice — run $450–$600. And options like HRAs let you set a fixed monthly budget while employees pick their own plan.

What most owners don't know: working with a licensed broker costs you nothing. The carrier pays the broker's commission. You get quotes from Cigna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas, Aetna, and United Healthcare all at once — instead of calling each one yourself.

With premiums rising 11% in 2026, this is not the year to auto-renew without shopping around first.

Have you reviewed your health plan options recently? What's been the biggest challenge finding coverage for your team?

Health insurance renewal coming up?Here's what Texas small business owners need to know before they sign anything in 202...
03/22/2026

Health insurance renewal coming up?

Here's what Texas small business owners need to know before they sign anything in 2026.

Premiums are rising 8–12% this year.

But rates vary up to 25% across the five major Texas carriers — for the exact same employee group.

That gap matters.

For a 10-person team, choosing the wrong carrier can cost you $15,000+ extra per year.

The fix is simple:

✔ Compare all five carriers before you renew
✔ Consider dropping a plan tier + adding an HSA
✔ Ask about bundling dental and vision for a discount
✔ Use a broker — it's free, same price as going direct

Are you shopping around at renewal — or just auto-renewing every year?

Thinking about health insurance for your team?Here's the short version - no fluff.To qualify for group coverage in Texas...
03/19/2026

Thinking about health insurance for your team?

Here's the short version - no fluff.

To qualify for group coverage in Texas, you need:

✔ At least 2 W-2 employees
✔ 75% of eligible staff willing to enroll

Can't meet that? You still have options.

ICHRA, QSEHRA, and individual marketplace plans all work for smaller teams and a broker can walk you through which one fits your budget.

If you do qualify for group coverage:

✔ Employer costs average $450–$600/month per employee
✔ Premiums are fully tax-deductible
✔ Up to 50% federal tax credit may apply

And the broker? Free.

Carriers pay their commission not you.

What's the biggest thing holding you back from offering your team health coverage?

Skipping health insurance for your team?Here's what that's quietly costing you.81% of employees consider benefits before...
03/18/2026

Skipping health insurance for your team?

Here's what that's quietly costing you.

81% of employees consider benefits before accepting a job.
And in Texas, less than 38% of small businesses offer coverage, which means the ones that do stand out immediately.

The math can work in your favor:

✔ Premiums are fully tax-deductible
✔ Under 25 employees? Up to 50% federal tax credit available
✔ A broker compares all options - free of charge

You don't have to figure this out alone.

Have you looked into coverage for your team? What's held you back?

If you run a small business, health insurance shopping can feel like this:“Cool, the premium looks fine.”Then you see th...
03/03/2026

If you run a small business, health insurance shopping can feel like this:

“Cool, the premium looks fine.”
Then you see the deductibles… and suddenly it’s not fine.

This 2026 guide breaks it down into 4 realistic options for small teams:

1) Group plan (traditional employer plan)
2) ICHRA (you set an allowance, employees pick their own plan, you reimburse)
3) SHOP (the only way to qualify for the small business tax credit, if eligible)
4) Taxable stipend (easy, but taxable and not the same protections)

It also points out something important: costs are rising, and the “best” plan depends on your team size + budget + how much choice you want employees to have.

What’s been harder for you: cost, plan complexity, or getting employees to actually understand what they’re enrolling in?

Picking a private family health plan in Texas shouldn’t feel like a trap… but it often does.Most people do the same thin...
02/18/2026

Picking a private family health plan in Texas shouldn’t feel like a trap… but it often does.

Most people do the same thing:
They pick the lowest monthly premium.

Then the deductible and out-of-pocket max show up like a surprise bill waiting to happen.

If you’re shopping Texas family health insurance plans, keep it simple:

✅ Set a monthly budget
✅ List your doctors + hospitals
✅ Confirm they’re in-network (and call the office, directories can be wrong)
✅ Compare deductible + out-of-pocket max so you know your worst-case risk
✅ Get 2–3 quotes and choose the one you can actually use

A plan is only “best” if you can afford it monthly AND it works when you need care.

Have you ever picked a plan that looked good… until you tried to use it?

If you’ve ever tried to get family health insurance quotes… you know the drill:You want a simple price.The internet want...
02/10/2026

If you’ve ever tried to get family health insurance quotes… you know the drill:

You want a simple price.

The internet wants your phone number (and your soul).

A quote is just an estimate based on things like your ZIP code, ages, and plan level.

The biggest mistake is picking the lowest monthly premium and ignoring what happens after you use care.

Quick way to compare without overthinking:

✅ Premium
✅ Deductible
✅ Out-of-pocket max

Then double-check the “gotcha” items:

1. Your doctors
2. Your hospital
3. Labs/imaging
4. Prescriptions

Have you ever picked a “cheap” plan that got expensive later?

Missing open enrollment feels like a door slammed shut.But it’s usually not.If you need health coverage now, start with ...
12/19/2025

Missing open enrollment feels like a door slammed shut.

But it’s usually not.

If you need health coverage now, start with this quick check:

If you lost coverage recently, you may qualify for a Special

Enrollment Period and you should also compare COBRA.

If your income dropped, Medicaid/CHIP might be available any time of year.

If you moved, got married, had a baby, or adopted, that can trigger an SEP too. Write down the date it happened, gather proof, and apply early.

And if you have no life event but you need a short bridge, short-term coverage might help, but it can come with limits, so read the details.

If you’re in Texas, talk to a licensed health insurance broker near you. They can help you figure out what you qualify for and when coverage can actually start.

What situation are you dealing with right now: job change, move, or just missed the deadline?

If your health insurance in Texas feels too expensive and too confusing… you’re not imagining it.Many self-employed Texa...
12/11/2025

If your health insurance in Texas feels too expensive and too confusing… you’re not imagining it.

Many self-employed Texans, families, and small business owners are stuck between overpriced ACA plans and the risky option of going uninsured.

That’s why more people are asking about health insurance alternatives.

Some of the options:

• Private PPO and off-Marketplace plans with wider networks
• Short-term plans for true in-between-job gaps
• Fixed benefit plans to help with big deductibles
• Small-group or association plans if you have W-2 employees
• HSA-compatible plans if you can save for medical costs

Tools like Direct Primary Care, health sharing, and discount cards can help with routine care, but they are not full insurance.

If you’re in Texas and unsure what fits your situation, talking through your health, income, and risk tolerance with a local broker can bring real clarity.

Address

4601 Old Shepard Place #104
Plano, TX
75093

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

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