Small businesses can shop off-exchange by working with a broker, requesting...

https://riversinspiringblogs.evergrovio.com/posts/small-group-health-plan-vs.-reimbursing-employees-for-individual-plans

Small businesses can shop off-exchange by working with a broker, requesting quotes directly from carriers, or comparing small-group plans. If a group plan isn’t a fit, an HRA may let the business reimburse employees for individual coverage