A Better Way to Think About Health Benefits: How ICHRA Is Giving Nye Employees More Choice, More Savings, and Better Coverage
Hilary and Mary, nurses at Nye Legacy, experienced firsthand how Nye’s transition to ICHRA created more affordable healthcare options. We’re proud to offer benefits that give our team members the flexibility to choose coverage that fits their needs—and their budget.
At Nye Health Services, we believe that caring for our team is just as important as caring for the residents and patients we serve. That’s why we continually look for innovative ways to provide meaningful benefits that support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees. When we decided to transition from a traditional self-funded health insurance plan to an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA), we knew it was a significant change. We also knew that change often brings questions. Our goal wasn’t simply to offer a different insurance option—it was to create a better benefits experience built around flexibility, personal choice, and affordability. Now that our first open enrollment under ICHRA is complete, we’re excited to share the results.
More Team Members Have Health Coverage
One of the biggest successes of the transition is that more employees now have access to health insurance. Enrollment increased from 195 employees under our previous plan to 235 employees through ICHRA, meaning 40 additional team members now have health coverage. For us, that’s more than a statistic. It represents more people and families with access to preventive care, medical services, and the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance.
Significant Savings for Employees
Affordability was one of our primary goals, and the results have been encouraging. Today, 187 Nye employees are paying less for health insurance than they were before. Depending on their coverage needs, many employees are saving hundreds of dollars every month. Average monthly savings include:
- Employee Only: $144 per month
- Employee + Spouse: $323 per month
- Employee + Child(ren): $306 per month
- Family Coverage: $486 per month
Over just six months, those savings can add up to nearly $3,000 for a family. Across our entire organization, our employees are projected to save nearly $800,000 annually on health insurance costs. That’s money our team members can put toward their families, their homes, retirement savings, education, or whatever matters most to them.
Why ICHRA Works Differently
Traditional employer-sponsored health plans often ask every employee to fit into the same plan, regardless of their unique healthcare needs. An Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) takes a different approach. Instead of selecting from a limited group plan, employees can choose the Marketplace health insurance plan that best fits their situation. That means they have the flexibility to consider:
- Their preferred doctors and healthcare providers
- Prescription coverage
- Monthly premium costs
- Deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses
- Their family’s unique healthcare needs
Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, employees have the opportunity to select coverage that’s personalized for them.
Every Employee’s Needs Are Different
We recognize that healthcare decisions are personal, and no single solution is perfect for everyone. Some employees intentionally selected plans with higher premiums because those plans better matched their preferred providers, offered broader coverage, or reflected changing family circumstances. Even with those individual choices, the overall results demonstrate that ICHRA has created meaningful value for the vast majority of participating employees through increased flexibility, expanded coverage, and substantial cost savings.
Investing in Our People
At Nye Health Services, our mission has always centered on people. By providing affordable, flexible healthcare options, we’re investing in the well-being of the employees who dedicate themselves to caring for others every day. This transition represents more than a new insurance model. It reflects our commitment to listening, innovating, and continually improving the employee experience. We’re grateful to our team members for embracing this new approach, asking thoughtful questions, and partnering with us throughout the transition. Together, we’ve created a benefits program that offers more choice, better coverage, and real savings—and we’re excited to continue building benefits that help our people thrive. Because when our employees are supported, everyone benefits.