Ohio House Advances ICHRA Tax Credit for Small Employers: A Win for Flexibility and Affordability

Ohio House Advances ICHRA Tax Credit for Small Employers: A Win for Flexibility and Affordability

Small businesses in Ohio just got a big boost. On June 5, the Ohio House passed House Bill 133, introduced by Rep. Meredith Craig, making it easier for employers to fund employee health coverage through Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs).

At Decisely, we see this as a smart move toward flexibility, choice, and affordability in healthcare—values we’ve long championed.

What the Bill Does

House Bill 133 allows small employers to provide pretax reimbursements for employees to purchase their own ACA-compliant plans—without the complexity of traditional group insurance.

This benefits:

  • Employers with under 50 employees
  • Independent contractors and part-timers
  • High-turnover industries like hospitality, retail, and gig work

As Rep. Craig puts it, this bill helps employers support their teams “without the red tape” (Ohio House, 2025).”

Why It Matters–and Why Now

As healthcare premiums continue to rise and traditional group participation fluctuates, employers are looking for simpler, more cost-effective options. ICHRA adoption has grown 171% year-over-year—a sign that the market is embracing this shift toward flexible, individualized coverage (HRA Council, 2024).

This legislation helps eliminate barriers for small employers in Ohio and could serve as a model for other states looking to modernize their benefits systems.

At Decisely, we’ve helped small employers nationwide adopt ICHRA with confidence. With our platform and support, the process is simple, scalable, and built to grow with your business.

Decisely’s ICHRA Advantage

We make it easy for employers to say “yes” to health benefits—without the complexity of old-school plans. Here’s how we support you every step of the way:

For Employers

  • Cost Control: Set a fixed monthly budget
  • Predictability: No surprise renewals
  • Compliance: Stay ACA- and IRS-compliant
  • Freedom: No participation minimums

For Employees

  • Choice: Pick their own ACA plans
  • Flexibility: Choose the features that fit their lives
  • Ownership: Plans stay with them even if they leave
  • Ease: One platform for enrollment, support, and payment

Two ICHRA Options—Same Powerful Support

ICHRA Direct: Employees select their own plans and get reimbursed after submitting proof of purchase.

ICHRA Flex: We provide a virtual card loaded with your monthly contribution, giving employees a simple way of paying for coverage. Their share (if any) is deducted from payroll automatically.

Both options include integrated compliance reviews, employee support, and payroll sync to minimize your admin burden.

The Bottom Line

Ohio’s latest move signals a growing momentum: ICHRA is shaping the future of health benefits for small businesses. And at Decisely, we’re ready to help you lead the way—with trusted guidance, powerful tools, and a team that knows benefits inside and out.

👉 Connect with us to learn more.

 

About the Author
Richie Seaberry is VP of Enterprise Sales at Decisely, where he helps small businesses and associations navigate modern healthcare solutions. With 10+ years in the benefits industry, Richie specializes in building scalable, tech-enabled programs that simplify HR and reduce costs.