What Growing Technology Companies Need to Know Before Their Next Renewal
Oregon’s small group health insurance market is entering a period of real disruption. Rising healthcare costs, higher premiums, and a shrinking pool of insurers are making it more important than ever for employers to understand their options and plan ahead.
For 2027, Oregon regulators finalized an average rate increase of 15.5% for the traditional small-group health insurance market, reflecting continued pressure from rising medical costs and broader market uncertainty. Moda Health has also announced it will end its ACA small-group medical plans effective March 1, 2027. Combined with other recent carrier exits from Oregon’s small-group market, these changes mean many employers will need to take a closer look at their current coverage before their next renewal.
Why this matters for a growing tech company
If you don’t have a dedicated HR or benefits person (most early-stage tech companies don’t), this kind of market shift can land squarely on your plate, on top of hiring, product, and everything else you’re already managing. As carriers narrow their offerings, you and your broker now have to work harder to:
- Find a carrier that still serves your region and network needs
- Manage rising premiums without cutting coverage quality
- Evaluate new options on a tighter timeline
- Communicate changes to your team clearly and early
For growing tech companies, the challenge is finding coverage that balances cost, quality, and the ability to compete for talent. Association Health Plans offer one potential alternative by allowing businesses to come together in order to access coverage through a shared arrangement.
One solution: an Association Health Plan
One option worth knowing about is an Association Health Plan (AHP). In plain terms, an AHP lets a group of businesses with something in common, like being in the same industry, join together to buy health coverage as a group instead of negotiating on their own. That shared scale can unlock:
- Continued access to competitive medical plans
- Group purchasing power during a period of rising costs
- Simplified administration during a transition
- Plan design built around industry needs
ALLtech: built for Oregon’s tech companies
ALLtech is an AHP created through a partnership between the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) and Moda Health, designed specifically for Oregon’s technology sector.
Is your company eligible? ALLtech is available to Oregon technology companies with 2 to 50 employees. Eligible companies can choose from multiple Moda medical plans, plus optional dental, vision, life/AD&D, and disability coverage.
One important note: ALLtech’s AHP is a separate offering from Moda’s traditional ACA small-group plans, with its own eligibility and enrollment rules. If you’re currently on a Moda small-group plan, your coverage won’t transfer automatically, so it’s worth confirming your options directly.
Start the conversation early
Don’t wait until renewal is at the door. If you want help making sense of what’s changing and what it means for your company, reach out to:
Questions?
Nathan Edmondson
Vice President and Sales Manager, ALLtech Benefits, with nearly 20 years in the employee benefits industry
206-602-3558 | nathan.edmondson@advprofessionals.com
If you work with a broker, they’re welcome to reach out directly on your behalf. Learn more at alltechbenefits.org/oregon.