Running a business in Tampa Bay is plenty of work without trying to decode health insurance on top of it. Whether you have five employees in Brandon or two hundred across Pinellas and Hillsborough, you want a plan your team will actually use, at a cost that doesn’t keep you up at night. That’s where we come in.

Clarity Path Benefits is a group benefits brokerage led by Jackson Stodgel. We help small and mid-size employers, typically teams of 2–500, compare group health plans, understand the trade-offs, and pick coverage that fits. Plain answers, no pressure, and no jargon we don’t explain.

Why Work With a Group Benefits Brokerage?

A group benefits brokerage isn’t tied to a single insurance company. That means our job is to look at the options available to your business and lay them side by side, not to push one carrier’s product. In Florida, employers can compare plans across multiple regional and national insurance carriers. Which ones make sense for you depends on your location, team size, budget, and the doctors your employees want to keep.

Working with us usually costs you nothing extra. Brokers are generally paid by the carrier, and you get a guide in your corner for quoting, enrollment, renewals, and the occasional “why was this claim denied?” phone call. If you have remote employees outside Florida, we can help there too.

Group Health Plan Types, in Plain Words

There’s no single best plan, only the best fit for your team. Here are the main options we walk employers through:

• Fully insured plans. The traditional route. You pay a set monthly premium, and the insurance company takes on the risk of claims. Predictable and simple, which is why many small businesses start here.
• Level-funded plans. A middle ground. You pay a steady monthly amount that covers expected claims, administration, and stop-loss protection. If your group’s claims come in lower than expected, you may get some money back. Often worth a look for healthier groups.
• HMO and PPO networks. An HMO usually costs less but asks employees to use an in-network doctor and get referrals for specialists. A PPO costs more but gives people more freedom to see providers without referrals, including some out of network.
• HSA-qualified high-deductible plans. Lower premiums paired with a higher deductible. Employees can put pre-tax money into a Health Savings Account, and employers can contribute too. A good option for teams that want lower costs and more control.
• ICHRA (Individual Coverage HRA). An alternative to a traditional group plan. You give employees a set, tax-advantaged allowance, and they choose their own individual health plan. It’s a flexible option for businesses that want a fixed budget or have employees in different locations.

We can also help round out your package with dental, vision, and other ancillary benefits, plus PEO, payroll, fractional HR, and 401(k) setup. See all of our services.

Florida Small-Group Basics

A few ground rules that shape your options here in Florida:

• Small group generally means 1 to 50 employees. Florida typically treats employers in that range as small groups, which affects how plans are rated and which products are available.
• The ACA employer mandate applies at 50 or more full-time equivalent employees. If you’re under 50 FTEs, you aren’t required to offer coverage, though many employers do to attract and keep good people. At 50 or more, the rules about offering affordable coverage kick in.
• Carriers set participation and contribution requirements. Most group plans expect a minimum share of eligible employees to enroll and the employer to cover a portion of the premium. The specifics vary by carrier and plan.

Every business is different, and rules change. We’ll walk through how these apply to your situation before you commit to anything.

How the Process Works

1. Quick conversation. We learn about your team, your budget, what you offer today (if anything), and what’s working or not.
2. Market comparison. We gather quotes and options and lay them out side by side in plain language, including costs, networks, and trade-offs.
3. Decision and enrollment. You pick the plan. We handle the paperwork and help your employees understand their choices.
4. Ongoing support. We stick around for questions, claims issues, new hires, and renewals, and we re-shop when it makes sense.

Areas We Serve in Tampa Bay

Clarity Path Benefits works with employers across the greater Tampa Bay region, including these counties and communities:

Hillsborough County

Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, Brandon, Riverview, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Sun City Center, Valrico, Seffner, Lutz, Carrollwood, Town ‘n’ Country, Westchase, Citrus Park, Odessa, Gibsonton, Wimauma, Lithia, FishHawk, Thonotosassa, Dover

Pinellas County

St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Seminole, Gulfport, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Kenneth City, South Pasadena, East Lake, Lealman, Tierra Verde

Pasco County

Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Zephyrhills, Dade City, San Antonio, St. Leo, Trinity, Holiday, Hudson, Bayonet Point, Shady Hills

Manatee County

Bradenton, Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Ellenton, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Myakka City

Polk County

Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City, Auburndale, Lake Wales, Davenport, Mulberry, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Eagle Lake, Lake Alfred, Dundee, Polk City, Lake Hamilton

Hernando County

Brooksville, Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, Hernando Beach, Ridge Manor

Citrus County

Inverness, Crystal River, Homosassa, Homosassa Springs, Beverly Hills, Citrus Springs, Lecanto, Floral City, Hernando

Sarasota County

Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Osprey, Nokomis, Englewood

We meet by phone, video, or in person around the region. We also work with small and mid-size employers statewide across Florida and nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many employees do I need for a group health plan in Florida?

Florida small-group plans are generally available to employers with as few as one or two eligible employees, depending on the carrier and plan. We’ll confirm what applies to your business.

Does it cost more to use a broker?

Usually not. Brokers are generally paid by the insurance carrier, so you get help comparing plans and managing enrollment without a separate fee for that service.

What’s the difference between fully insured and level-funded?

With fully insured, you pay a fixed premium and the carrier takes on the claims risk. Level-funded also uses a steady monthly payment, but it’s built around your group’s expected claims and may return some money if claims run low.

Is an ICHRA a good fit for a small business?

It can be, especially if you want a fixed benefits budget or have employees spread across different areas. It isn’t right for every team, so we’ll compare it against a traditional group plan for you.

When can I start a group health plan?

Small groups can typically start coverage at various points during the year, not just during one window. Reach out and we’ll map out a realistic timeline.

How much does group health insurance cost a small business in Tampa and Florida?

In Florida, group health insurance averages $743 per month ($8,919/year) for single coverage—with employers typically paying 79% ($584/month)—and $2,116 per month ($25,396/year) for family coverage, per KFF State Health Facts. For 2027, Florida OIR small-group filings average $920 per person monthly (+12.9%). See our full 2027 Florida Group Health Insurance Cost Guide for county benchmarks and ways to structure your budget.

Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page.

Get a Free Group Health Quote

Ready to see what’s out there for your team? Call (813) 981-7908 or send us a message. We’ll give you a straight answer on your options, with no pressure and no runaround.