In our 2025 Broker Survey Report, we asked brokers and benefits leaders what would make them more likely to recommend the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). The majority said the same thing: user-friendly administration.
And it makes sense. Managing ICHRA in-house means juggling ACA rules, reimbursement tracking, employee onboarding, and ongoing compliance. Without the right platform, it can get overwhelming fast.
Whether you're new to ICHRA or reevaluating your setup, choosing the right administration software is the most important decision you'll make. Here’s what to look for (and what to avoid).
The quick cut
- The best ICHRA software makes setup, reimbursements, and compliance easy
- Look for automation, integrations, reporting, and strong employee support
- Watch out for weak compliance features, limited support, or one-size-fits-all onboarding
- Platforms like Zorro are built to scale for enterprise organizations and mid-size businesses
What to consider before choosing an ICHRA administration platform
Before diving into features, it’s important to think about what your business actually needs in an ICHRA vendor. These are the core factors that should guide your decision.
- Company size and structure: The best ICHRA platforms work just as well for a 50-person team as they do for a 5,000-person company. Look for a solution that can handle multi-class structures, support distributed teams, and scale with your business.
- Insights into budget and health benefits spend: The best ICHRA administration software makes it easy to compare costs with and without an ICHRA and give you insights into contribution strategies that work for your company and your team.
- Support for your team: Administration shouldn’t fall entirely on your HR staff. Strong platforms offer built-in guidance, live support, and employee-friendly tools that keep questions and headaches to a minimum.
7 features every ICHRA platform should include
Once you’ve thought through your internal needs, it’s time to evaluate what each platform can deliver. These are the features that matter most.
1. Compliance automation
Your software should stay up to date with ACA and IRS rules, calculate affordability thresholds, and flag issues as they arise. Real-time alerts and automated documentation are table stakes.
2. Payroll and HRIS integrations
Seamless integration with your existing systems reduces manual entry and errors. Look for support for tools like ADP, Paychex, BambooHR, or your current payroll provider.
3. Employee self-service tools
Your team should be able to shop for plans, track reimbursements, and get answers without filing a help ticket. Look for user-friendly portals, clear navigation, and built-in education.
4. Custom reporting and visibility
Understanding how employees use their allowance helps you refine your strategy. Pre-built dashboards and custom reporting let you monitor usage, costs, and engagement over time.
5. Scalability and flexibility
Your ICHRA needs will change as your business grows. A good platform will support new locations, employee classes, and system integrations without starting from scratch.
6. Plan document management
IRS-compliant plan documents are easy to overlook, but essential. Your platform should maintain all necessary documentation to support audits and keep you compliant.
7. Transparent pricing
You shouldn’t have to guess at your monthly bill. Choose a partner that offers straightforward per-employee pricing, with no surprise charges for features you assumed were included.
8. Broker-friendly model
Your benefits advisor plays a key role in successful ICHRA implementation. Look for admin software that supports the broker-client relationship rather than distancing it.
How to evaluate ease of use
Even the most feature-rich platform won’t succeed if your team dreads using it. Here’s how to gauge the real-world user experience.
- Admin experience: Look for a dashboard that highlights what needs attention—without burying you in complexity. Task reminders, compliance alerts, and intuitive navigation make a huge difference.
- Onboarding process: Implementation should be guided and responsive to your business needs. The best platforms offer structured timelines, dedicated onboarding support, and training for both HR and employees.
- Employee education and support: ICHRA is new to most employees. That’s why your platform should provide multilingual support, robust help centers, interactive tools, and real-time guidance to help them navigate plan selection and enrollment.
3 red flags to avoid
Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to look for. Here are some common signs that an ICHRA vendor may not be the right fit.
- Weak compliance and security standards: If a provider can’t explain how they stay compliant with ACA, IRS, and HIPAA rules—or lacks SOC 2 certification—that’s a serious risk.
- Minimal employee support: Email-only or English-only support creates barriers. Your team deserves real-time, multilingual resources to navigate a new benefits model.
- Generic onboarding and training: ICHRA implementation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Avoid platforms that offer templated timelines without customizing for your company’s structure or complexity.
In conclusion
Choosing the right ICHRA administration software can make or break your benefits strategy. The best platforms simplify setup, automate compliance, and support your team at every step.
Zorro was purpose-built for ICHRA, with intuitive dashboards, ACA-compliant automation, and real human support for both HR and employees. If you’re ready to make ICHRA easier, book a demo or download our ICHRA Guide to learn how Zorro can help you get started with confidence.
