Group Health Insurance Broker in Tyler, TX
Choosing a group health plan for your Tyler business means balancing premiums, participation rules, and what your employees actually need. Wilkerson Insurance Agency is an independent broker that compares group plans from several carriers, models your contribution options, and supports you from the first quote through renewal.
- No broker fee on group plans
- Texas-licensed agents
- 5 Stars | 46+ Google Reviews
Your Group Health Insurance Broker in Tyler
A group health insurance broker compares plans from several carriers, models what each choice costs you and your employees, and handles the paperwork. As an independent broker, we show you how several carriers' group plans compare. We also explain the Texas rules that shape what you can buy, so nothing surprises you at underwriting.
Tyler employers range from one-owner shops hiring a first employee to organizations with thousands of workers. For a statewide overview, see our group health insurance plans page, or visit our Tyler health insurance broker page.
For every Tyler employer, we:
- Review your headcount, employee ages, ZIP codes, and benefit goals.
- Compare group medical plans from the carriers available to your group.
- Model employer contribution options before you commit.
- Check the Texas participation and contribution rules for your group.
- Manage the application, underwriting follow-up, and employee enrollment.
- Stay available for new hires, renewals, and questions.
Tyler Employers and the Industries Behind Them
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports about 116,800 nonfarm jobs in the Tyler metro area (Smith County) for the 12 months ending March 2024. Education and health services was the largest sector at 26,300 jobs, and wholesale and retail trade followed at 20,200. Government, leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, manufacturing, and the combined mining, logging, and construction group each held between 7,300 and 15,100 jobs.
Each type of employer shops for group coverage a little differently.
Medical, Dental, and Professional Practices
Practices with two to 50 employees can buy small group coverage. Our team includes two former dental hygienists, so dental offices get a conversation with someone who knows the work.
Retail, Restaurants, and Hospitality
Schedules vary, and if you offer a plan, the Texas 30-hour rule decides which employees must be offered coverage. We count your eligible employees before we request quotes, so the participation math is right.
Construction and Trade Contractors
Crews can work in several counties, so network access where your employees live and work matters. We check that before we recommend a plan.
Manufacturing and Distribution
Larger groups can compare fully insured, level-funded, and self-funded structures. We explain what each one means for cash flow and claims risk.
Real Estate, Accounting, and Other Professional Firms
Small firms often compare HSA-compatible plans and employer allowance models such as ICHRA. We model each option against your headcount and budget.
Texas Small Group Rules for Tyler Employers
The Texas Department of Insurance sets the framework for small employers. These are the rules that matter most when you shop.
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Small employer | Texas law defines a small employer as a business with two to 50 employees |
| Who you must offer | If you offer a plan, you must offer it to employees who work 30 or more hours a week, plus their dependents |
| Owner coverage | Owners can enroll if at least one employee also enrolls |
| Employer contribution | The law does not require you to pay premiums, but an insurer may require at least 50% of your employees' premiums |
| Participation | Most insurers require at least 75% of your full-time employees to join, and employees with other health coverage do not count toward that percentage |
| Buying window | If you miss the participation rule, the insurer can make you wait for open enrollment, November 1 to January 15 |
| New hires | New employees get at least 31 days from their start date to enroll, and you can require them to wait up to 90 days after they enroll for coverage to start |
| Pre-existing conditions | Insurers cannot deny or limit coverage for them |
Source: Texas Department of Insurance small employer health insurance guide.
ACA and COBRA Rules for Tyler Employers
Under 50 full-time equivalent employees
The federal employer mandate does not apply to you, so offering health insurance is your choice. The mandate starts at 50 full-time equivalent employees.
50 or more full-time equivalent employees
Applicable Large Employers must offer coverage that meets minimum value and affordability standards, or they may face IRS penalties.
Employees who leave
TDI says federal COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees. Texas continuation coverage can help former employees who are not eligible for COBRA, or who have used it up, on plans regulated by Texas insurance law. Former employees who keep either kind of coverage pay the full premium.
This page gives general information and is not legal or tax advice. An attorney or CPA can confirm how these rules apply to your business.
Group Plan Structures Available to Tyler Employers
| Structure | How it works | Often fits |
|---|---|---|
| Fully insured | You pay a fixed monthly premium, and the carrier carries the claims risk | Small groups that want predictable costs |
| Level-funded | You pay a set monthly amount for projected claims, administration, and stop loss, with a possible refund if claims run low | Stable, generally healthy teams |
| Self-funded with stop loss | You pay claims directly and buy stop loss coverage for very large claims | Larger employers with administrative support |
| ICHRA | You provide a monthly allowance that employees use toward individual plans | Teams spread across counties, or with changing headcount |
Within each structure, you choose a plan type such as PPO, HMO, EPO, or a high-deductible plan paired with HSAs. Read our level-funded guide, our comparison of ICHRA vs traditional group, or our article on self-funded vs fully insured coverage for more detail. Our page on HSA plans for Tyler employers explains how high-deductible plans work. If you fund your own claims, see our stop loss insurance in Tyler page for how stop loss limits the risk from very large claims.
What Group Health Insurance Costs for Tyler Employers
KFF's 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey found that firms with 10 to 199 workers paid an average of $9,593 a year for single coverage and $27,288 for family coverage. Covered workers at those firms contributed about 16% of the single premium and 37% of the family premium on average. Among covered workers at small firms, 29% were in plans where the employer paid the entire single premium.
Your own price depends on your group. Insurers consider the age of your employees, tobacco use, your location, the plan type, and the network.
Higher deductibles usually lower premiums but raise what employees pay out of pocket. We do not quote a price on this page, because your group sets it.
Request a quote with your employee census, and we show estimated monthly costs and contribution options from several carriers. Our Texas group costs guide explains how premiums are built.
Tax Tools for Tyler Employers
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
Your business may qualify for the federal credit if it:
- Has fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees.
- Pays average wages below an inflation-adjusted IRS limit.
- Pays at least 50% of the cost of employee-only coverage.
- Buys a qualified plan through the SHOP Marketplace, or meets a limited exception.
The credit can cover up to 50% of premiums for small businesses and 35% for small tax-exempt employers, for two consecutive years. It is not automatic, and a tax professional should confirm your numbers. Our small business tax credit guide covers the steps.
Section 125 Premium-Only Plans
A Section 125 plan lets employees pay their share of premiums with pre-tax dollars, which can lower taxable wages and certain payroll taxes. It requires a written plan document and yearly administration. Ask your tax professional how it applies to you, and ask us what the paperwork involves.
Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Group Plan
Answering these first makes quotes faster and more accurate:
- Which employees are eligible, and how many work 30 or more hours a week?
- How many full-time employees will likely enroll?
- How much of the premium do you want to pay for employees and for dependents?
- Where do your employees live, and which hospitals and doctors do they use?
- When does your current plan renew, and have you received new rates?
What to Have Ready for a Group Quote
A quote moves faster when we start with the same facts the carrier will ask for. Carriers can request more, and we tell you what each one needs.
- A list of eligible employees with birth dates, ZIP codes, and job status (full-time or part-time).
- The dependents your employees may want to cover.
- Your current plan summary and your latest renewal notice, if you have coverage now.
- Your business name, address, and tax ID.
- The employer contribution you want to model, even as a rough range.
Group Benefits Beyond Medical
Medical coverage is the core of a benefits package, and other benefits can make it stronger. We compare these options too. For help with other coverage, visit our Tyler health insurance broker page.
For exams, cleanings, and major work.
For eye exams, glasses, and contacts.
To protect employees' families.
To replace part of a paycheck during recovery.
How Group Enrollment Works for Tyler Employers
Workforce Consultation
We review headcount, employee ages, ZIP codes, current coverage, budget, and goals.
Multi-Carrier Quotes
We compare plans from the carriers writing group business in Smith County.
Plan and Contribution Selection
You choose the plans to offer and set your employer contribution.
Employee Open Enrollment
Employees review options and make elections, with English and Spanish support.
Application and Underwriting
We manage the carrier application, documents, and follow-up.
Activation and Administration
We stay available for new hires, renewals, and questions after coverage starts.
Common Group Health Mistakes Tyler Employers Make
Choosing by Premium Alone
A low premium can come with a high deductible that your employees feel every time they need care.
Missing the Participation Rule
Most insurers require at least 75% of your full-time employees to join. If you fall short, the insurer can make you wait until open enrollment.
Ignoring Employee ZIP Codes
A network that works near your office can be thin where your employees live.
Miscounting Employees
Full-time equivalent counts decide your ACA obligations and tax credit eligibility, so count with care.
Setting Your Contribution Without Modeling It
Insurers may require at least 50%, so compare contribution levels against your budget before you commit.
Reasons Tyler Employers Choose Wilkerson Insurance Agency
We compare carriers instead of selling one company's plan, and we confirm availability for your group before we show you options.
Wilkerson Insurance Agency has served Texas families and businesses since 2010. Our licensed agents work across Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston, and we are licensed in 27 states.
Our agents include a licensed pharmacist, two former dental hygienists, and a former medical billing business owner. They bring healthcare experience to conversations about prescriptions, dental needs, and claims.
Agent Beatrice Rivas helps clients compare plans, understand deadlines, and enroll in English or Spanish.
- No broker fee on group plans
- Texas-licensed agents
- Bilingual support in English and Spanish
Meet Our Licensed Agents
Our licensed team helps employers compare group plans and understand enrollment deadlines.
Serving Tyler Employers by Phone
We help employers across Tyler and Smith County. Our office is at 2727 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1062, in Farmers Branch, not in Tyler. You can handle everything by phone, and you can visit Farmers Branch if you call ahead.
Rates depend on where your group is located, so we run quotes for your exact business address and employee ZIP codes.
Group renewal timing varies by employer, so call us a few months before your renewal date to compare options before your carrier sends new rates. We can also review your current plan alongside new quotes.
- Farmers Branch, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Coppell, TX
- Carrollton, TX
- Irving, TX
- Plano, TX
- Lewisville, TX
- Grapevine, TX
- Southlake, TX
- Colleyville, TX
- Hurst, TX
- Houston, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Texas defines a small employer as a business with two to 50 employees, and small group plans are open to those businesses. Owners can enroll if at least one employee also enrolls, so a business with an owner and one employee may still qualify.
We check how your group is counted before we request quotes.
Small employers are not covered by the federal employer mandate, which starts at 50 full-time equivalent employees. Larger employers must offer coverage that meets IRS standards or may face penalties.
If you do offer a plan, Texas requires you to offer it to employees who work 30 or more hours a week. An attorney or CPA can confirm your obligations.
Usually, if you meet the insurer's participation rule. Most insurers require at least 75% of your full-time employees to join, and employees with other health coverage do not count toward that percentage.
If you fall short, the insurer can make you wait for the open enrollment period, November 1 through January 15 each year. The TDI small employer guide explains the rules.
If you offer a plan, Texas requires you to offer it to every employee who works 30 or more hours a week, plus their dependents. Employees with other health coverage do not count toward the insurer's participation percentage.
We review your schedules and job classes before we quote, so the employee list we submit matches the plan rules.
Brokers are paid a commission by the insurance company, not by you. You do not pay us a fee for comparing plans, quoting, or enrollment support on group plans.
Some arrangements, such as self-funded plans or separate consulting services, may work differently, so ask before you start. We tell you about any cost before you commit.
Get Your Free Tyler Group Health Quote
You do not have to sort through group plans by yourself. Call 214-501-9613, or request a quote online, and we compare plans, model your contribution options, and map your enrollment timeline, with bilingual support available.
Wilkerson Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency. This page gives general information and is not legal, tax, or HR advice. Talk with an attorney or CPA about how these rules apply to your business.
Wilkerson Insurance Agency, 2727 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1062, Farmers Branch, TX 75234