Washington’s 2027 Small Group rates are in. The differences might surprise you.

BHT’s review of SERFF, the state insurance filing system, found that the filed rate tables for all nine carrier entities in Washington’s 2027 small-group market are marked “Complete” and “Closed”, indicating that Small Group rates are finalized for 2027.

To explore the numbers, use our benchmarking tool to see how plans compare for your team’s ages, county and coverage start date – or BHT’s historical rate tool to compare listed premiums over time.

Our December-to-January comparisons show substantial increases for Premera Blue Cross and UnitedHealthcare, with generally smaller increases for Kaiser. For a 40-year-old employee, Kaiser also has the lowest observed January non-HSA Silver and Gold premiums in the three counties we reviewed. A few Platinum plans cost less than in December, but their deductibles and out-of-pocket limits are going up.

What are Washington small group health plans?

In Washington, “small group” refers to a specific health insurance market for businesses with 1 to 50 employees. Employers can purchase these plans directly from insurance companies or through brokers, offering coverage to employees and eligible family members. They’re separate from the individual plans sold through Washington Healthplanfinder.

These plans follow Affordable Care Act rules, with rates filed and reviewed by the state. Premiums are based on factors such as the plan, covered people’s ages and location, not the medical conditions or past claims of your particular workforce. That’s why we can compare their prices without collecting health histories.

But not every health plan offered to a small business falls into this category. Brokers may also quote association health plans, which allow eligible businesses to purchase coverage through a larger group. Some use medical underwriting, meaning the insurer may review health questionnaires or claims information before determining a price for your business. Those quotes can differ from the publicly filed small group rates shown here.

BHT offers both standard small group plans and underwritten association plans, giving employers additional options to explore with their broker.

At a glance: December 2026 to January 2027

With hundreds of plans and premiums that vary by age and location, we’ve narrowed things down to three counties, a 40-year-old employee, and two coverage dates: December 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027. We’re comparing Silver and Gold plans, excluding HSA-eligible options to keep the plan types & rates more more consistent. Our new tool can help you take a deeper look.

For each carrier, the tables show the median (middle) percentage change among plans available in both months, matched by insurer and plan ID. The number in parentheses shows how many plans were compared. These figures aren’t average employer renewal increases.

We’ve also included real plan examples with changes close to each carrier’s median, showing the difference in monthly dollars. All premiums are before employer contributions, and changes to benefits or provider networks should be considered separately.

King County

Premera Blue Cross has the largest median Silver increase, at 13.23%. UnitedHealthcare has the largest Gold increase, at 15.25%. Premera’s HMO entity increases less than its Blue Cross entity in both categories.

Two Silver examples show what that means in dollars:

• Premera Blue Cross Balance 3000 Silver: $567.43 in December to $642.50 in January, an increase of $75.07 a month (13.23%).
• KP Silver Core 2500 LX: $543.12 in December to $559.75 in January, an increase of $16.63 a month (3.06%).

Across the January offerings reviewed, Kaiser Washington has the lowest premiums in both categories: $535.83 for Silver and $627.36 for Gold. Those are different plans from the Kaiser example above.

Clark County

Regence has slightly smaller median increases than Kaiser Northwest, while UnitedHealthcare’s increases are much larger. Clark uses different Kaiser and Regence legal entities from King County, including Regence Oregon’s Washington-market plans.

Two Gold examples:

• KP WA Gold 0 w/VX: $579.13 in December to $613.50 in January, an increase of $34.37 a month (5.93%).
• UHC Choice Plus Gold 1000: $750.72 in December to $854.65 in January, an increase of $103.93 a month (13.84%).

Kaiser Northwest has the lowest observed January premiums: $506.18 for Silver and $571.21 for Gold. A smaller premium increase doesn’t mean unchanged benefits, though. The KP WA Gold 0 w/VX example’s individual out-of-pocket limit rises from $8,500 to $11,000.

Spokane County

UnitedHealthcare’s Gold median increase reaches 16.49%, the largest in these three county tables. Premera Blue Cross’s Silver median is 13.23%, matching King County after rounding. Kaiser Washington Options has smaller increases than Kaiser Washington here, reversing their order in King.

These two Gold plans start December at nearly the same premium, then move further apart:

• KP Gold Access PPO 1500 LX: $703.59 in December to $732.10 in January, an increase of $28.51 a month (4.05%).
• UHC Choice Plus Gold 1000: $708.19 in December to $814.88 in January, an increase of $106.69 a month (15.07%).

Kaiser Washington still has the lowest observed January premiums: $546.13 for Silver and $639.43 for Gold. The carrier with the smallest increase isn’t always the one with the lowest price.

A few premiums decrease, with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket limits

Across all 296 matched plan premiums in these three counties (including all metals and HSA plans) interestingly, three show a December-to-January decrease. They represent two distinct Kaiser Platinum plans. No matched Silver or Gold plan decreased.

Their individual deductibles rise from $250 to $350, and their individual out-of-pocket limits rise from $2,500 to $3,850. That is, the lower premium comes with greater potential costs for members who use care.

Use the figures to prepare for your broker conversation

BHT’s historical rate tool lets you explore listed premiums by location, age, carrier and plan category. It helps put a December-to-January change alongside the longer history. Changes in the mix of available plans can also move a displayed average.

For your own team, BHT’s benchmarking tool applies filed rates to your group’s ages, county and coverage start date. Add your current premium or renewal figure to compare it with other options and bring specific questions to your broker.

Ask whether a December start is available, how it would affect deductibles and the next renewal, and which plans cover your team’s providers and prescriptions. The results are educational estimates; your broker can confirm eligibility, benefits and final pricing.