Small Business Health Insurance for Accounting & Tax Firms in Englewood, Colorado

Updated July 2026 · ColoradoPlanFinder.com — Licensed Health Insurance Producer (NPN #21249133)

Small businesses in Englewood with 2 or more employees (excluding owners) may qualify for traditional group health plans.
Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) allow employers to contribute tax-free funds for employees to buy individual plans on Connect for Health Colorado.
In 2026, 6 carriers, including Kaiser Permanente and United Healthcare, offer marketplace plans in Rating Area 1, which covers Englewood.
Colorado expanded Medicaid in 2014, offering Health First Colorado to adults with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.

For small accounting and tax firms in Englewood, Colorado, providing health insurance is a key factor in attracting and retaining talent. You have several options beyond traditional group plans, including individual marketplace plans combined with employer contributions, or Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). Choosing the right approach depends on your firm's size, budget, and employees' needs. Understanding Colorado's specific regulations and local carrier availability in Englewood's Rating Area 1 is crucial for making an informed decision that benefits both your business and your team.

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What Health Insurance Options Are Available for Small Businesses in Englewood?

Small accounting and tax firms in Englewood, Colorado, typically have three primary avenues for offering health coverage:

Traditional Group Health Plans: These are plans purchased by the employer for their employees. They offer a unified benefits package and can be a strong recruitment tool. Eligibility usually requires a minimum number of participating employees, typically two or more full-time equivalents (not including the owner or spouse).
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs): HRAs allow employers to reimburse employees for health insurance premiums and/or qualified medical expenses. The two most common types for small businesses are the Qualified Small Employer HRA (QSEHRA) and the Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA). These are flexible options that allow employees to choose their own individual plans from Connect for Health Colorado.
Individual Marketplace Plans: While not employer-sponsored, employees can purchase plans through Connect for Health Colorado. Businesses can choose to provide a taxable stipend to help employees cover premium costs, though this offers fewer tax advantages than an HRA. Many employees in Englewood with incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for significant subsidies on these plans.

Each option has different tax implications, administrative burdens, and flexibility for both the employer and the employees. Consulting with a licensed health insurance producer can help you navigate these complexities and determine the best fit for your specific firm.

Understanding Group Health Plans vs. Individual Coverage HRAs

When deciding on health insurance for your accounting or tax firm, weighing the pros and cons of traditional group plans against HRAs like ICHRA is essential.

Feature	Traditional Group Health Plan	Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA)
Plan Selection	Employer selects one or a few plans; employees choose from these options.	Employees choose any individual plan from Connect for Health Colorado that meets ACA requirements.
Cost Control	Employer pays a fixed percentage of premiums, often 50-100%. Premiums can fluctuate annually.	Employer sets a fixed monthly allowance for each employee; costs are predictable.
Eligibility	Typically requires 2+ enrolled employees (excluding owners).	Can be offered to any number of employees, including sole proprietors (if structured correctly) and those who decline a group plan.
Tax Treatment	Employer contributions are tax-deductible; employee premiums generally pre-tax.	Employer contributions are tax-deductible; employee reimbursements are tax-free if used for qualified medical expenses and an ACA-compliant plan.
Flexibility for Employees	Limited to employer's chosen plans and network.	High flexibility; employees pick plans, networks, and doctors that suit their individual needs.
Administration	Employer manages plan selection, enrollment, and renewals directly with the carrier.	Employer manages allowances; employees manage their own individual plan enrollment. Third-party HRA administrators can simplify this.

Arapahoe County, where Englewood is located, has a population of 659,844 with a median income of $101,087, per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 5-year estimates. This diverse demographic underscores the value of flexible benefits that can cater to a wide range of employee needs and financial situations.

Health Insurance Carriers in Englewood

For small businesses and individuals in Englewood, Colorado, understanding the local carrier landscape is vital. In 2026, 6 carriers offer marketplace plans in Colorado Rating Area 1, which covers Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson counties. These carriers provide a range of plan types, including HMO, EPO, and PPO options on Connect for Health Colorado. The confirmed local carriers are:

Cigna
Denver Health Medical Plan
HMO Colorado
Kaiser Permanente
Select Health
United Healthcare

These carriers offer various plans with different price points, network sizes, and coverage specifics. It's recommended to compare the details of each plan to find the one that best suits your firm's and your employees' needs. For instance, Hca-healthone DBA Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, along with The Medical Center of Aurora & South Hospital and Adventhealth Littleton in Arapahoe County, are key acute care facilities, and knowing which plans include these providers in their networks can be important for your team.

Navigating Subsidies and Medicaid in Colorado

Colorado operates its own state-based marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, where individuals and families can shop for ACA-compliant health plans. Many residents of Englewood may qualify for financial assistance, known as Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs), which reduce monthly premium costs. These subsidies are available to individuals and families with incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Colorado expanded Medicaid in 2014, and its program is known as Health First Colorado. Adults with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for Medicaid at little to no cost. This is a crucial safety net for individuals and families with lower incomes. For pregnant women, Health First Colorado covers those up to 138% FPL, and Colorado's Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) covers pregnant women with incomes up to 195% FPL, offering comprehensive prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care. CHP+ also covers children in households up to 260% FPL. Applications for these programs can be submitted through Colorado PEAK (colorado.gov/PEAK). For small business owners exploring ICHRA or QSEHRA, employees who qualify for subsidies on Connect for Health Colorado can use their tax-free employer contributions towards their chosen marketplace plan, effectively stacking the benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the health insurance options for small accounting firms in Englewood?

Small accounting and tax firms in Englewood, Colorado, typically have three main health insurance options: traditional group health plans, Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) like ICHRA, and individual marketplace plans purchased by employees with potential employer contributions.

Can a small business in Englewood offer individual plans instead of a group plan?

Yes, small businesses in Englewood can choose to reimburse employees for individual health insurance plans through a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) or an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). This allows employees to choose plans that best fit their needs from Connect for Health Colorado while still receiving a tax-advantaged contribution from their employer.

How many carriers offer marketplace plans in Englewood, Colorado?

In 2026, 6 carriers offer marketplace plans in Colorado Rating Area 1, which includes Englewood. These carriers include Cigna, Denver Health Medical Plan, HMO Colorado, Kaiser Permanente, Select Health, and United Healthcare.

What is the minimum number of employees required for a group health plan in Colorado?

In Colorado, generally, a small business must have at least two full-time employees (excluding the owner/spouse) enrolled to qualify for a traditional group health plan. This can vary slightly by carrier and plan type, so it's best to confirm specific requirements with a licensed producer.