Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Clearwater) small group health insurance costs in 2026 range from approximately $375–$485 per employee per month for Bronze HMO to $540–$685 for Gold HMO. Pinellas County rates are very similar to Hillsborough County (Tampa), typically within 3–5% on comparable plans. Florida Blue and Aetna are the primary carriers, with BayCare Health System's comprehensive hospital network providing strong in-network coverage across both St. Pete and Clearwater. Pinellas is a mature, competitive small group market.
Related resources:
Pinellas County Group Plans FL Cost Per Employee Guide Hillsborough County Cost Guide| Plan Tier | Total Monthly Premium | Employer Cost (65%) | Employee Cost (35%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze HMO | $375–$485 | $244–$315 | $131–$170 |
| Silver HMO | $450–$575 | $293–$374 | $158–$201 |
| Gold HMO | $540–$685 | $351–$445 | $189–$240 |
| Business Size | Annual Employer Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 2 employees | $7,032–$8,976/year |
| 5 employees | $17,580–$22,440/year |
| 10 employees | $35,160–$44,880/year |
| 20 employees | $70,320–$89,760/year |
Pinellas and Hillsborough County rates are typically within 3–5% of each other on comparable plans — both are mid-range Tampa Bay market counties. Pinellas is occasionally slightly higher due to the peninsula geography limiting some carrier competition. For a 10-person business, the annual cost difference between the two counties is typically $1,000–$3,000 on Silver HMO at 65% contribution — meaningful but not dramatic. Businesses incorporated in one county but with employees in both are rated based on the employer's county of registration.
Yes — BayCare Health System operates most of the major hospitals in Pinellas County (Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, St. Anthony's Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital, Mease Countryside). Both Florida Blue and Aetna HMO plans include BayCare hospitals in-network, which is the primary network consideration for most Pinellas employees. Verifying that your employees' preferred primary care physicians and specialists are in-network is the more differentiating factor between carriers.
At 25% effective tax rate, employer-paid premiums are deductible under IRC §162, making the after-tax cost approximately 75% of gross premiums. For a 10-employee Pinellas business paying $35,160–$44,880/year in Silver HMO employer contributions, after-tax cost is approximately $26,370–$33,660. A Section 125 cafeteria plan adds FICA savings on the employee share — approximately $1,370–$1,750/year for 10 employees.
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