https://blog.uppobenefits.com/News and updates from uPPo Benefitsen-ushttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/77-percent-of-employees-want-more-health-plan-choiceshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/77-percent-of-employees-want-more-health-plan-choicesWed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA new eHealth survey finds most workers with employer coverage want more options, and 43% of Americans now say they are familiar with CHOICE Arrangements.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/treat-choice-as-a-third-option-not-a-replacementhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/treat-choice-as-a-third-option-not-a-replacementMon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTIn a new interview, Take Command CEO Jack Hooper says the CHOICE rebrand has raised visibility but not yet changed the rules, and urges brokers to add CHOICE to their toolkit.Agent Growthhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/workers-now-pay-7471-for-family-coveragehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/workers-now-pay-7471-for-family-coverageThu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTKFF's 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey shows employer premiums rising faster than wages, with workers at small firms carrying the heaviest load.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/11-carriers-exit-the-aca-marketplaces-for-2027https://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/11-carriers-exit-the-aca-marketplaces-for-2027Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTEleven insurers have announced plans to leave some or all of their ACA Marketplace states for 2027, according to KFF’s insurer-participation tracker.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/medicare-advantage-looks-stable-for-2027https://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/medicare-advantage-looks-stable-for-2027Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTNational Medicare Advantage totals can hide substantial local changes.Medicarehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/nhpu-training-and-events-calendarhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/nhpu-training-and-events-calendarFri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTNHP University’s academic calendar brings training sessions into one place, with filters for topic, language, and format.Learning Centerhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/unitedhealthcare-leaves-georgias-exchangehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/unitedhealthcare-leaves-georgias-exchangeFri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTUnitedHealthcare is leaving Georgia Access for the 2027 plan year after state regulators challenged its requested premium increase of about 54%, according to reporting by Medical Daily.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/washington-takes-choice-on-the-roadhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/washington-takes-choice-on-the-roadFri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTFederal officials are taking the CHOICE conversation directly to employers.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/employers-are-ready-for-choicehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/employers-are-ready-for-choiceWed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTEmployers are showing interest in CHOICE Arrangements, but many advisers have not yet sold one.Agent Growthhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/ichra-choice-certification-coursehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/ichra-choice-certification-courseWed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTNHP University’s uPPo course is designed for insurance agents who want to understand individual coverage HRAs and discuss them responsibly with employer prospects.Learning Centerhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/thats-a-wrap-on-aca-way-2026https://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/thats-a-wrap-on-aca-way-2026Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTTwo days in Miami put CHOICE, formerly ICHRA, at the center of uPPo’s ACA WAY 2026 conversations.Eventshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/when-employees-get-to-choosehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/when-employees-get-to-chooseWed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTEmployees offered an individual-coverage allowance do not necessarily choose the lowest-premium plan.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/2027-premiums-are-climbinghttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/2027-premiums-are-climbingTue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTACA Marketplace insurers requested a median premium increase of about 15% for 2027 in Peterson–KFF’s review of 276 insurers across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/broker-confidence-in-ichra-holds-steadyhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/broker-confidence-in-ichra-holds-steadyTue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrokers continue to see employer interest in ICHRA, now promoted federally as CHOICE Arrangements, but interest is not the same as unconditional support.Agent Growthhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/discounted-vip-aca-way-accesshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/discounted-vip-aca-way-accessTue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTuPPo’s ACA WAY announcement offered agents access to a discounted VIP experience at the 2026 conference.Eventshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/ichra-has-a-new-name-say-hello-to-choicehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/ichra-has-a-new-name-say-hello-to-choiceTue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTCMS and the Small Business Administration introduced the CHOICE Arrangement name on September 3, 2026.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/new-rules-at-the-point-of-enrollmenthttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/new-rules-at-the-point-of-enrollmentTue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTCMS’s Enhanced Direct Enrollment requirements add consumer identity-proofing and agent-authorization checks ahead of the 2027 open enrollment period.Compliancehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/states-are-putting-real-money-behind-choicehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/states-are-putting-real-money-behind-choiceTue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTState incentives are giving some small employers another reason to evaluate a CHOICE Arrangement.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/500000-ichra-lives-and-growinghttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/500000-ichra-lives-and-growingFri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTICHRA-covered lives exceeded 500,000 at the beginning of 2026, according to the HRA Council’s annual growth report.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/broker-cheat-sheethttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/broker-cheat-sheetFri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTA useful CHOICE comparison starts with the funding model.Compliancehttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/choice-is-here-are-youhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/choice-is-here-are-youFri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe uPPo Broker Roadshow brought CHOICE education, carrier discussions, platform demonstrations, and networking to agents in local markets.Eventshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/choice-tax-credits-expandhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/choice-tax-credits-expandFri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTState tax incentives can change the cost comparison for a small employer considering CHOICE, but the programs do not share one national eligibility rule.Industry Newshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/strategic-insights-and-market-trendshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/strategic-insights-and-market-trendsFri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTRising renewal costs are encouraging employers to review how they fund health benefits, not just which group plan they buy.Agent Growthhttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/upcoming-eventshttps://blog.uppobenefits.com/posts/upcoming-eventsFri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTuPPo’s September event schedule connected a national ACA conference with local broker education in Texas and Arizona.Events