PEO 96% chance of beating Fully Insured
$175,520
median five-year savings
+23% expected savings
5th$11,51525th$122,247 75th$210,28895th$242,160
Montana Health-Plan Funding Guide
Montana 2027 funding analysis by employer size
Plan year 2027 Rates used: PY2027 final rates
Compare your options based on what matters most: Year 1 cost, five-year savings, and the likelihood of outperforming Fully Insured.
10 Employees
10-employee funding analysis · 2027
Modeled with Benefitra's average client savings assumptions, 2,000 Monte Carlo runs, and 2027 Montana market rates.
Choose another size ↑Blackwell underwriter reviewed and validated
Chance of beating Fully Insured over 5 years
PEO96%
Level-Funded81%
Taft-Hartley2%
Five-year median savings versus staying Fully Insured
PEO $175,520
Level-Funded $144,825
Taft-Hartley −$46,225
5th to 95th percentile 25th to 75th Median
Level-Funded 81% chance of beating Fully Insured
$144,825
median five-year savings
+14% expected savings
5th−$209,05925th$50,841 75th$183,76095th$208,551
With additional cost containment: $141K to $256K more potential savings; win rate rises to ~96%.
Taft-Hartley 2% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$46,225
median five-year savings
-7% expected savings
5th−$81,25525th−$60,176 75th−$31,55095th−$10,692
Fixed · nationwide · transparent pricing Get your Taft-Hartley rate →
Fully Insured today: ~$922 per employee/month is the baseline. Every savings figure above is measured against it.Rates used: PY2027 final rates$0 saved
Day-one and five-year context
Lowest modeled day-one costPEO · ~28% cheaper
Highest modeled five-year medianPEO · $175,520
These are separate measures, not a recommendation or a single “best” pick. Probability, downside range, eligibility, administration, and risk tolerance also matter.
Cost containment: Reference-Based Pricing · Cash Pay · Centers of Excellence · Specialty Rx Management · Care Navigation · High-Cost Dialysis Carve-Out · Direct Primary Care. Most strategies do not affect employees’ provider access or care.
Illustrative profile: Average age (~42), average health, state-adjusted premium, and approximately 10 enrolled employees. Actual quotes and underwriting can materially change results.
2027 renewal assumption: 2027 small-group filed rate 18.0% (final as filed; the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance reviews rates but does not approve them). Fully-insured renewal expectation used here: 9.7% a year over five years (six-year filed average incl. 2027); next 1 to 3 years 14.2%.
30 Employees
30-employee funding analysis · 2027
Modeled with Benefitra's average client savings assumptions, 2,000 Monte Carlo runs, and 2027 Montana market rates.
Choose another size ↑Blackwell underwriter reviewed and validated
Chance of beating Fully Insured over 5 years
PEO96%
Level-Funded91%
Self-Funded Captive94%
Taft-Hartley2%
Five-year median savings versus staying Fully Insured
PEO $526,561
Level-Funded $607,273
Self-Funded Captive $552,133
Taft-Hartley −$138,674
5th to 95th percentile 25th to 75th Median
PEO 96% chance of beating Fully Insured
$526,561
median five-year savings
+23% expected savings
5th$34,54625th$366,740 75th$630,86395th$726,481
Level-Funded 91% chance of beating Fully Insured
$607,273
median five-year savings
+25% expected savings
5th−$182,17525th$407,597 75th$695,90295th$766,096
With additional cost containment: $361K to $573K more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Self-Funded Captive 94% chance of beating Fully Insured
$552,133
median five-year savings
+24% expected savings
5th−$30,46925th$387,910 75th$650,39095th$739,931
With additional cost containment: $373K to $533K more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Taft-Hartley 2% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$138,674
median five-year savings
-7% expected savings
5th−$243,76625th−$180,528 75th−$94,64995th−$32,075
Fixed · nationwide · transparent pricing Get your Taft-Hartley rate →
Fully Insured today: ~$922 per employee/month is the baseline. Every savings figure above is measured against it.Rates used: PY2027 final rates$0 saved
Day-one and five-year context
Lowest modeled day-one costPEO · ~28% cheaper
Highest modeled five-year medianLevel-Funded · $607,273
These are separate measures, not a recommendation or a single “best” pick. Probability, downside range, eligibility, administration, and risk tolerance also matter.
Cost containment: Reference-Based Pricing · Cash Pay · Centers of Excellence · Specialty Rx Management · Care Navigation · High-Cost Dialysis Carve-Out · Direct Primary Care. Most strategies do not affect employees’ provider access or care.
Illustrative profile: Average age (~42), average health, state-adjusted premium, and approximately 30 enrolled employees. Actual quotes and underwriting can materially change results.
2027 renewal assumption: 2027 small-group filed rate 18.0% (final as filed; the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance reviews rates but does not approve them). Fully-insured renewal expectation used here: 9.7% a year over five years (six-year filed average incl. 2027); next 1 to 3 years 14.2%.
70 Employees
70-employee funding analysis · 2027
Modeled with conservative assumptions, 2,000 Monte Carlo runs, and 2027 Montana market rates.
Choose another size ↑Blackwell underwriter reviewed and validated
Chance of beating Fully Insured over 5 years
PEO44%
Level-Funded91%
Self-Funded Captive100%
Taft-Hartley22%
Five-year median savings versus staying Fully Insured
PEO −$136,398
Level-Funded $385,177
Self-Funded Captive $532,276
Taft-Hartley −$647,302
5th to 95th percentile 25th to 75th Median
PEO 44% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$136,398
median five-year savings
-4% expected savings
5th−$1,623,33025th−$631,818 75th$447,92795th$1,791,652
Level-Funded 91% chance of beating Fully Insured
$385,177
median five-year savings
+11% expected savings
5th−$183,41825th$202,496 75th$710,54795th$1,756,034
With additional cost containment: $984K to $1.44M more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Self-Funded Captive 100% chance of beating Fully Insured
$532,276
median five-year savings
+15% expected savings
5th$180,92825th$347,353 75th$867,43495th$1,931,478
With additional cost containment: $957K to $1.27M more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Taft-Hartley 22% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$647,302
median five-year savings
-12% expected savings
5th−$1,286,50025th−$991,459 75th−$98,88395th$1,232,965
Fixed · nationwide · transparent pricing Get your Taft-Hartley rate →
Fully Insured today: ~$922 per employee/month is the baseline. Every savings figure above is measured against it.Rates used: PY2027 final rates$0 saved
Day-one and five-year context
Lowest modeled day-one costSelf-Funded Captive · ~11% cheaper
Highest modeled five-year medianSelf-Funded Captive · $532,276
These are separate measures, not a recommendation or a single “best” pick. Probability, downside range, eligibility, administration, and risk tolerance also matter.
Cost containment: Reference-Based Pricing · Cash Pay · Centers of Excellence · Specialty Rx Management · Care Navigation · High-Cost Dialysis Carve-Out · Direct Primary Care. Most strategies do not affect employees’ provider access or care.
Illustrative profile: Average age (~42), average health, state-adjusted premium, and approximately 70 enrolled employees. Actual quotes and underwriting can materially change results.
2027 renewal assumption: 2027 small-group filed rate 18.0% (final as filed; the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance reviews rates but does not approve them). Fully-insured renewal expectation used here: 9.7% a year over five years (six-year filed average incl. 2027); next 1 to 3 years 14.2%.
150 Employees
150-employee funding analysis · 2027
Modeled with conservative assumptions, 2,000 Monte Carlo runs, and 2027 Montana market rates.
Choose another size ↑Blackwell underwriter reviewed and validated
Chance of beating Fully Insured over 5 years
PEO37%
Self-Funded96%
Self-Funded Captive100%
Taft-Hartley25%
Five-year median savings versus staying Fully Insured
PEO −$642,952
Self-Funded $1,283,373
Self-Funded Captive $1,286,306
Taft-Hartley −$1,278,029
5th to 95th percentile 25th to 75th Median
PEO 37% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$642,952
median five-year savings
-8% expected savings
5th−$4,158,51425th−$1,884,501 75th$689,32995th$3,903,492
Self-Funded 96% chance of beating Fully Insured
$1,283,373
median five-year savings
+15% expected savings
5th$48,15325th$839,358 75th$1,910,24995th$3,887,158
With additional cost containment: $2.06M to $3.15M more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Self-Funded Captive 100% chance of beating Fully Insured
$1,286,306
median five-year savings
+16% expected savings
5th$553,98025th$891,327 75th$1,981,31995th$4,142,849
With additional cost containment: $2.07M to $2.74M more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Taft-Hartley 25% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$1,278,029
median five-year savings
-11% expected savings
5th−$2,993,60825th−$2,134,786 75th$43,42395th$3,059,614
Fixed · nationwide · transparent pricing Get your Taft-Hartley rate →
Fully Insured today: ~$922 per employee/month is the baseline. Every savings figure above is measured against it.Rates used: PY2027 final rates$0 saved
Day-one and five-year context
Lowest modeled day-one costSelf-Funded · ~12% cheaper
Highest modeled five-year medianSelf-Funded Captive · $1,286,306
These are separate measures, not a recommendation or a single “best” pick. Probability, downside range, eligibility, administration, and risk tolerance also matter.
Cost containment: Reference-Based Pricing · Cash Pay · Centers of Excellence · Specialty Rx Management · Care Navigation · High-Cost Dialysis Carve-Out · Direct Primary Care. Most strategies do not affect employees’ provider access or care.
Illustrative profile: Average age (~42), average health, state-adjusted premium, and approximately 150 enrolled employees. Actual quotes and underwriting can materially change results.
2027 renewal assumption: 2027 small-group filed rate 18.0% (final as filed; the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance reviews rates but does not approve them). Fully-insured renewal expectation used here: 9.7% a year over five years (six-year filed average incl. 2027); next 1 to 3 years 14.2%.
250 Employees
250-employee funding analysis · 2027
Modeled with conservative assumptions, 2,000 Monte Carlo runs, and 2027 Montana market rates.
Choose another size ↑Blackwell underwriter reviewed and validated
Chance of beating Fully Insured over 5 years
PEO31%
Self-Funded99%
Self-Funded Captive100%
Taft-Hartley26%
Five-year median savings versus staying Fully Insured
PEO −$1,785,124
Self-Funded $2,274,747
Self-Funded Captive $2,322,442
Taft-Hartley −$2,041,303
5th to 95th percentile 25th to 75th Median
PEO 31% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$1,785,124
median five-year savings
-13% expected savings
5th−$8,079,17225th−$3,960,096 75th$670,74995th$5,977,130
Self-Funded 99% chance of beating Fully Insured
$2,274,747
median five-year savings
+16% expected savings
5th$768,62225th$1,634,742 75th$3,364,00795th$6,265,276
With additional cost containment: $3.41M to $5.15M more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Self-Funded Captive 100% chance of beating Fully Insured
$2,322,442
median five-year savings
+16% expected savings
5th$1,004,88425th$1,631,154 75th$3,533,90195th$6,757,959
With additional cost containment: $3.46M to $4.58M more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Taft-Hartley 26% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$2,041,303
median five-year savings
-11% expected savings
5th−$5,126,47425th−$3,567,283 75th$179,03295th$5,481,534
Fixed · nationwide · transparent pricing Get your Taft-Hartley rate →
Fully Insured today: ~$922 per employee/month is the baseline. Every savings figure above is measured against it.Rates used: PY2027 final rates$0 saved
Day-one and five-year context
Lowest modeled day-one costSelf-Funded · ~12% cheaper
Highest modeled five-year medianSelf-Funded Captive · $2,322,442
These are separate measures, not a recommendation or a single “best” pick. Probability, downside range, eligibility, administration, and risk tolerance also matter.
Cost containment: Reference-Based Pricing · Cash Pay · Centers of Excellence · Specialty Rx Management · Care Navigation · High-Cost Dialysis Carve-Out · Direct Primary Care. Most strategies do not affect employees’ provider access or care.
Illustrative profile: Average age (~42), average health, state-adjusted premium, and approximately 250 enrolled employees. Actual quotes and underwriting can materially change results.
2027 renewal assumption: 2027 small-group filed rate 18.0% (final as filed; the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance reviews rates but does not approve them). Fully-insured renewal expectation used here: 9.7% a year over five years (six-year filed average incl. 2027); next 1 to 3 years 14.2%.
500 Employees
500-employee funding analysis · 2027
Modeled with conservative assumptions, 2,000 Monte Carlo runs, and 2027 Montana market rates.
Choose another size ↑Blackwell underwriter reviewed and validated
Chance of beating Fully Insured over 5 years
PEO27%
Self-Funded100%
Self-Funded Captive100%
Taft-Hartley22%
Five-year median savings versus staying Fully Insured
PEO −$3,534,776
Self-Funded $4,395,001
Self-Funded Captive $4,382,367
Taft-Hartley −$4,050,251
5th to 95th percentile 25th to 75th Median
PEO 27% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$3,534,776
median five-year savings
-14% expected savings
5th−$16,042,99225th−$7,506,197 75th$520,76095th$8,565,506
Self-Funded 100% chance of beating Fully Insured
$4,395,001
median five-year savings
+16% expected savings
5th$1,795,13925th$3,118,022 75th$6,491,51395th$12,229,456
With additional cost containment: $6.89M to $8.98M more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Self-Funded Captive 100% chance of beating Fully Insured
$4,382,367
median five-year savings
+16% expected savings
5th$1,923,82725th$3,089,435 75th$6,534,96995th$12,372,305
With additional cost containment: $6.93M to $8.41M more potential savings; win rate rises to ~100%.
Taft-Hartley 22% chance of beating Fully Insured
−$4,050,251
median five-year savings
-11% expected savings
5th−$9,355,64725th−$6,700,309 75th−$534,01895th$6,860,012
Fixed · nationwide · transparent pricing Get your Taft-Hartley rate →
Fully Insured today: ~$922 per employee/month is the baseline. Every savings figure above is measured against it.Rates used: PY2027 final rates$0 saved
Day-one and five-year context
Lowest modeled day-one costSelf-Funded · ~12% cheaper
Highest modeled five-year medianSelf-Funded · $4,395,001
These are separate measures, not a recommendation or a single “best” pick. Probability, downside range, eligibility, administration, and risk tolerance also matter.
Cost containment: Reference-Based Pricing · Cash Pay · Centers of Excellence · Specialty Rx Management · Care Navigation · High-Cost Dialysis Carve-Out · Direct Primary Care. Most strategies do not affect employees’ provider access or care.
Illustrative profile: Average age (~42), average health, state-adjusted premium, and approximately 500 enrolled employees. Actual quotes and underwriting can materially change results.
2027 renewal assumption: 2027 small-group filed rate 18.0% (final as filed; the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance reviews rates but does not approve them). Fully-insured renewal expectation used here: 9.7% a year over five years (six-year filed average incl. 2027); next 1 to 3 years 14.2%.
2026 analysis vs 2027
For 70-employee groups in Montana, the modeled median five-year savings for Self-Funded Captive moved from $470,302 to $532,276, and its modeled chance of beating Fully Insured stayed at 100%.
| Employees | PEO | Level-Funded | Self-Funded | Self-Funded Captive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $117,804 → $175,52093% → 96% odds | $91,869 → $144,82577% → 81% odds | Not modeled | Not modeled |
| 30 | $353,413 → $526,56193% → 96% odds | $422,152 → $607,27389% → 91% odds | Not modeled | $383,024 → $552,13392% → 94% odds |
| 70 | −$115,591 → −$136,39844% → 44% odds | $326,421 → $385,17791% → 91% odds | Not modeled | $470,302 → $532,276100% → 100% odds |
| 150 | −$544,875 → −$642,95237% → 37% odds | Not modeled | $1,087,604 → $1,283,37396% → 96% odds | $1,131,276 → $1,286,306100% → 100% odds |
| 250 | −$1,512,817 → −$1,785,12431% → 31% odds | Not modeled | $1,927,752 → $2,274,74799% → 99% odds | $2,036,815 → $2,322,442100% → 100% odds |
| 500 | −$2,995,573 → −$3,534,77627% → 27% odds | Not modeled | $3,724,577 → $4,395,001100% → 100% odds | $3,851,158 → $4,382,367100% → 100% odds |
Fully Insured baseline used: $781 → $922 per employee per month (PY2026 rates → PY2027 final rates). Taft-Hartley is priced as a fixed nationwide rate rather than a state-rate model, so it is not compared here.
View the archived 2026 Montana analysis (last year's model results, not current advice).
Illustrative model results, not a quote, a forecast or insurance, tax or legal advice. Actual premiums, claims, eligibility and underwriting vary by employer, and the rates used here may differ from the rates an employer is quoted.
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