Missed the 2027 small group product launch? Watch the recording today
Updated September 23, 2026: Additional questions on microgroups and plan mapping from the 2027 small group product launch have been added to this article.
If you were unable to join us last week or need a refresher on the changes coming to Premera small group business for the 2027 plan you can view the full recording or jump to the segment you’re most interested in.
Provider networking and total cost of care, Ben Helsel
Kinwell, Toni Levin
2027 small group plan changes, Madasin Jennings
Q&A, Ben Helsel and Madasin Jennings
During the live event we received a lot of great questions from our attendees. Below is a list of questions and answers from the event.
Q: Which plans are accepted by Kinwell primary care?
A: The following plans are accepted by Kinwell:
- Premera Blue Cross commercial health plans
- Premera Blue Cross individual and family plans
- Premera Blue Cross HMO commercial health plans
- LifeWise Health Plan of Washington individual plans
- Regence Blue Shield (if residing east of the Cascades)
- Most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans (call Kinwell for more information)
- Medicare Parts A & B
- Medicare Advantage plans
- Self-pay (cash payments)
Visit kinwellhealth.com to learn more about the accepted health plans.
Q: Where can I find a list of preventive services?
A: An overview of covered preventive services can be found on premera.com. The preventive services tip sheet provides detail on frequency, guidance, and limits. Members should consult their benefit booklet for specific benefits and coverage.
Q: Where will discontinued HSA-qualified plans be mapped to for the 2027 plan year?
A: For the 2027 plan year the discontinued HSA-qualified plans will be mapped to the following:
| 2026 discontinued plans | 2027 plan mapping |
| Balance HSA Qualified 1700 Gold | Balance 1000 Gold |
| Choice HSA Qualified 1700 Gold | Choice 1000 Gold |
| Balance HSA Qualified 6500 Bronze | Balance 7000 Bronze |
| Choice HSA Qualified 6500 Bronze | Choice 7000 Bronze |
Q: Which plans are Medicare creditable?
A: Medicare Part D notification and creditable coverage reports are now available.
Q: Is Premera doing anything to help contain the renewal increases? Employers need sustainability to offer benefits.
A: A lot of what was addressed during the session was focused on efforts to keep costs manageable and looking to see what we can do long-term to lower total cost of care. Making investments into primary care for small group, and across the broader book of business, will lead to a lower total cost of care.
In terms of cost, the entire industry has experienced significant difficulties over the last 18 months. An example is the increased use of AI in the exam room really drove claim costs.
We’re doing everything we can to stabilize costs, that’s the North Star in all of this. We want to have a lower cost of care and our renewals as stable as possible.
Q: If a member uses Kinwell for primary care, can they choose their own specialist? Will Kinwell provide the referral?
A: The member can always choose their own specialist, should they prefer to navigate on their own. The member may have out-of-pocket costs depending on their plan type and if they select a specialist that’s out-of-network. Kinwell will always make a recommendation if asked.
A referral is not required; the member may follow a recommendation if given or “self-refer” to a specialist of their choice.
Q: Does Premera auto-assign all members to Kinwell if they don’t choose a primary care provider (PCP) initially?
A: Automatic PCP designation is limited to most small group plans, Premera Blue Cross HMO plans, and Premera Pathfinder plans (51+). Automatic PCP designation to a member is based on the following:
- Existing PCP (based on claims data) is assigned to the member
- Proximity to the member (this could be Kinwell or another provider)
Members can always change their designated PCP by signing in to their secure member account on premera.com.
Q: Is there lab and imaging services at Kinwell?
Basic lab services are available at Kinwell. All imaging is external and a referral is made by the Kinwell provider.
Q: Are there alternate 2000 and 2500 deductible plans?
Yes, we will continue to offer Balance and Choice Silver plan options with deductibles within this range. Slide 29 of our presentation includes a summary of the plans that are available for 2027.
Q: For groups of 1-2: If renewals are released first part of November, when will the January 1 documents be due?
Since neither we nor our clients can control when OIC approval is received, we plan to give January groups of 1-2 approximately 20 business days to submit their documentation for review. We will communicate the submission deadline once OIC approval is received and renewals are scheduled for release.
As a reminder, we are required to issue non-renewal letters 30 days before the effective date. If we are unable to complete our eligibility review before that deadline, groups may still receive a non-renewal letter while the review remains in progress. For groups that submit their documentation by the established deadline, please know that we will continue working with you and your groups until a determination has been made.