Should I Choose SimplyHRA or Take Command for ICHRA Setup?

Deciding on a health benefits strategy is a huge step for any business. With traditional group plans becoming less affordable for many, Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) have become a popular, flexible alternative. In fact, employer adoption of ICHRAs grew 64% from 2022 to 2023 alone. But an ICHRA is only as good as its administration. That brings up a critical question for many business owners and HR managers: should I choose SimplyHRA or Take Command for ICHRA setup?

The answer depends on your company’s priorities. You should choose Take Command if your top priorities are industry longevity and a high-touch, human-led employee enrollment experience. In contrast, you should choose SimplyHRA if you prioritize modern technology, automation, and a streamlined user experience with simple, all-inclusive pricing. This guide will walk you through a direct comparison to help you make the right decision for your team.

A Head to Head Look: SimplyHRA vs. Take Command

Making the right choice starts with understanding what each platform brings to the table. Let’s break down the core offerings of these two popular ICHRA administrators.

SimplyHRA Feature Overview

SimplyHRA is a modern software platform designed to make offering an ICHRA as simple and automated as possible. It’s built for businesses that want to replace their group plan with a predictable, fixed budget benefit.

• Cost Control and Simplicity: Employers can set a fixed monthly allowance for employees in just a few minutes, with no minimum or maximum contribution limits. The pricing is a flat $29 per enrolled employee per month, with no setup fees or platform fees, making budgeting completely predictable.

• Streamlined Payments with Virtual Cards: A standout feature is the pre funded virtual Visa card provided to each employee. This card is loaded with their monthly allowance, allowing them to pay insurance premiums directly without waiting for reimbursements. This convenience is a huge win for employees.

• Automated Compliance: The platform automatically generates plan documents and performs ACA affordability calculations to help keep you compliant. It creates an audit ready trail of all payments and verifications.

• Deep Integrations and AI Support: SimplyHRA connects with popular payroll systems like Gusto, Rippling, and ADP. It also features an AI powered benefits assistant that provides 24/7 answers to common questions, backed by a team of human support specialists.

• Guided Employee Choice: Employees aren’t left on their own. Every employee gets access to a licensed benefits specialist who helps them compare and enroll in an individual health plan at no extra cost.

Take Command Feature Overview

Take Command is a well established leader in the HRA space, recognized as one of the nation’s largest ICHRA providers. Having been founded in 2014, they have a long track record and serve over 6,000 employers.

• Industry Experience: As an early pioneer, Take Command has deep experience in HRA administration, supporting both ICHRA and QSEHRA plans.

• Employee Plan Shopping Support: A key strength is their in house enrollment support team of licensed advisors who personally guide employees through selecting an individual health plan.

• All in One HRA Software: Their platform provides an intuitive portal for employers to design and manage their HRA, with customizable employee classes and reimbursement rules.

• Strong Compliance and Security: Take Command offers robust compliance support, including custom affordability reports for large employers. Their platform is also SOC 2 compliant, meeting strict third party standards for data security.

• Technology and Integrations: The company continuously invests in its platform, recently launching a new “HRA Hub” with enhanced HRIS and payroll integrations and an AutoPay feature to automate premium reimbursements.

Why Some Employers Choose Take Command

Businesses often select Take Command for its industry leadership and long standing reputation. For companies that prioritize a proven track record, a large national scale, and high touch human support for employee plan selection, Take Command is a very compelling choice. Their deep investment in an enterprise ready platform also makes them a go to for larger or more complex organizations looking for robust security and compliance features.

Making Your Decision: Key Criteria for ICHRA Setup

The debate over whether you should choose SimplyHRA or Take Command for ICHRA setup often comes down to your specific needs. A great ICHRA administrator does more than just process payments; they are a partner in delivering a seamless, compliant health benefit.

The Role of an ICHRA Administrator

First, what does an administrator do? They are the bridge between you, your employees, and your HRA program. Their key responsibilities include setting up the plan, onboarding employees, processing reimbursement claims, ensuring everything stays compliant with IRS and ACA rules, and providing ongoing support. They do the heavy lifting so you can focus on your business.

Technology and Platform Usability

Your administrator’s software is your main tool. It should be easy for your HR team and your employees to use. A clunky system creates more work, while a smooth one saves time. Take Command’s clients, for example, report spending less than an hour per month on HRA administration thanks to their user friendly platform.

Look for modern, intuitive dashboards, mobile accessibility, and seamless integrations with your existing HR and payroll systems. For instance, both SimplyHRA and Take Command offer integrations that prevent double data entry and streamline workflows.

Compliance and Regulatory Expertise

This is non negotiable. An ICHRA involves navigating complex IRS, ACA, and HIPAA regulations. Your vendor must be an expert. A good administrator will:

• Generate compliant plan documents.

• Help you set an affordable allowance to meet ACA rules.

• Protect sensitive employee health information (PHI).

• Securely store reimbursement records.

Strong compliance is a hallmark of experienced providers. For example, Take Command advertises its SOC 2 certification for data security, while SimplyHRA highlights its automated ACA reporting to keep employers audit ready.

Customization and Flexibility

ICHRA is powerful because it’s not a one size fits all benefit. Your administrator’s platform should allow you to customize your plan. This includes creating different “classes” of employees (like full time vs. part time) and offering different allowance amounts to each. You should also be able to decide whether to reimburse insurance premiums only or to include other medical expenses like deductibles and copays. Both SimplyHRA and Take Command offer this level of plan design flexibility.

Employee Support and Education

Switching to an ICHRA can be a new experience for your employees. Great support is crucial for a smooth transition. The best vendors provide resources to help employees understand the benefit and shop for an individual health plan.

This is a key area where your decision on whether you should choose SimplyHRA or Take Command for ICHRA setup might become clear. Take Command is known for its in house team of licensed advisors providing one on one help. SimplyHRA offers a similar service with licensed benefits specialists for every employee, but complements it with a 24/7 AI powered assistant for instant answers to common questions.

Pricing and Fee Transparency

Finally, you need to understand the cost. Most vendors use a “per employee per month” (PEPM) model. You should look for clear, transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

• SimplyHRA: Charges a flat $29 PEPM with no setup or platform fees. You only pay for employees who enroll.

• Take Command: Starts around $20+ PEPM for small employers, also with no setup fees. Larger employers may have a platform fee.

Always confirm what’s included in the base price. A slightly higher PEPM that includes everything (like virtual cards or advanced support) might offer better value than a lower price with multiple add on fees. If you’re looking for a simple, all inclusive model to help with your decision, you can see how SimplyHRA’s transparent pricing works for businesses of any size.

So, Should I Choose SimplyHRA or Take Command for ICHRA Setup?

The right choice depends entirely on your company’s priorities.

Choose Take Command if your top priorities are industry longevity, a proven track record with thousands of clients, and a high touch, human led employee enrollment experience. They are an excellent, safe choice for organizations of any size, particularly larger ones needing enterprise grade security and reporting.

Choose SimplyHRA if you prioritize modern technology, automation, and a streamlined user experience. The pre funded virtual cards are a major benefit for employees, and the combination of AI and human support offers speed and accessibility. For startups and small businesses that value deep payroll integrations and simple, all inclusive pricing, SimplyHRA is an incredibly strong contender.

Ultimately, the best way to decide is to see the platforms for yourself. When you’re ready to explore what a modern, hassle free ICHRA solution can do for your team, schedule a free demo with SimplyHRA to get a firsthand look.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the main difference when deciding if I should choose SimplyHRA or Take Command for ICHRA setup?
The primary difference often comes down to their approach. Take Command leans on its long history and human powered support teams, making it a trusted choice for established businesses. SimplyHRA leads with modern technology, automation like virtual payment cards, and a hybrid AI plus human support model, appealing to tech forward companies seeking efficiency.

2. Is ICHRA setup difficult with either SimplyHRA or Take Command?
No, both platforms are designed to simplify the setup process. They provide guided workflows to help you design your plan, create employee classes, and set allowances. SimplyHRA, for instance, promotes the ability to set your budget in just a few minutes.

3. Do both platforms help my employees find health insurance?
Yes, this is a key service for both. Take Command has an in house team of licensed advisors for enrollment support. SimplyHRA also provides every employee with access to a licensed benefits specialist to help them shop for and enroll in a qualifying plan.

4. How does pricing compare between SimplyHRA and Take Command?
Both use a per employee per month model and have no setup fees for small businesses. Take Command starts around $20+ PEPM, while SimplyHRA offers a single, all inclusive plan at $29 PEPM. The best value depends on which features, like SimplyHRA’s virtual cards, are most important to you.

5. Can I switch from a group plan to an ICHRA with these providers?
Absolutely. Both SimplyHRA and Take Command specialize in helping employers transition from traditional group health insurance to a more flexible and cost effective ICHRA model.

6. Which provider is better for a small business trying to decide if they should choose SimplyHRA or Take Command for ICHRA setup?
Both are excellent for small businesses. SimplyHRA’s straightforward, all in one pricing and modern, easy to use platform are often very appealing to startups and small teams. Take Command’s extensive experience and reputation provide a strong sense of security for business owners new to HRA benefits.