When I last had to do my own insurance, it was $2200/month for a high end, lowish deductible plan that covered my family. Choice is nice, but the costs are so high now that I'd rather have the lower negotiated rates with less choices.
Small group prices can, on average, be more or less competitive than the individual market, depending on geography. In recent years, the prices of both types of insurance have been trending towards similarity, but there is still substantial variation region-by-region.
That's probably not too far from what you'd get with an employer except you're paying the whole cost instead of them. My middle of the road employer plan costs $1250 for me and my spouse (not counting dental and vision). I think family was $1700 or so. And sounds like you were aiming for a decently better plan than what I have.
$25-26k a year for a low deductible family plan seems about right. I have a HD plan through my company and it costs roughly that including my HSA contributions.
What does that $2.2k number compare to?
10 years ago, I was paying $900/month for the same plan on my own.
https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/form-w-2-reporting-o...