Small Business Health Insurance Plans & Group Options (2024)

• Each member selects an in-network Primary Care Physician (PCP)
• Referrals from your PCP are often required to see a specialist
• Out-of-pocket costs are predictable and often limited to low annual deductibles and copayments for doctor visits and other covered services
• The number of providers in the HMO network varies by location

• Members don’t have to choose a PCP
• Members don’t need a referral to see a Specialist
• Members can choose any doctor or hospital regardless of whether the provider is in the plan’s network (costs may increase for out-of-network care)
• Out-of-pocket costs may include annual deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for covered services

• Members usually need to select an in-network PCP
• Members usually don’t need a referral to a Specialist to receive POS plan benefits
• Members can choose to use the plan’s provider network for some services and go outside the network for other services
• Members usually pay a small portion of the cost of covered services when they stay in the POS network

The insurance company will determine the final monthly cost for your group health insurance plan once your application has been reviewed and approved. Costs vary based on a number of criteria, including the size and location of your company, and the ages of your employees. As part of the Affordable Care Act, the health of your employees, including pre-existing conditions, no longer impact group health insurance rates. Please note that your final monthly rate will be the same whether you apply through eHealth, another health insurance agent, or directly with the insurance company.

An average eHealth small business plan covers 5 people and costs $1,432 per month in premiums - or $286 per person.

Typically, an employer covers at least 50% of the employee's monthly premium. In these cases, the employee covers the remainder of their own premium and then covers the full premium for any of their dependents. Minimum employer contribution levels may differ from state to state and from one insurance company to the next. Also, some employers opt to cover a higher percentage of the employee's monthly premium and sometimes a portion of the premium costs for an employee's dependents.

During the application process, you'll be able to indicate how much of your employees' (and their dependents') monthly premiums you would like to cover.

If you already have a broker or have purchased a group health insurance plan in the past through a broker or health insurance company, eHealth can help you to maintain your current plan or find a new plan that meets your health insurance needs.

In addition:

• eHealth provides you with world-class customer service.
• eHealth is a platinum agent with many top health insurance companies.
• eHealth has dedicated account managers to assist you.
• Rates are regulated and do not vary by broker, so there's no additional cost to you.

eHealth offers over 1,300 group health insurance plans from 70+ carriers throughout the United States. Our licensed agents shop and compare products from multiple insurers to curate plans that are optimal for each company's specific needs.

Group health insurance plans are categorized as either indemnity plans (also known as "traditional indemnity," "fee-for-service," or "FFS" plans) or managed care plans. Indemnity and managed care plans differ in their basic approach. The major differences concern choice of providers, out-of-pocket costs for covered services, and how bills are paid:

With an indemnity plan, you typically have a broader choice of doctors (including specialists, such as cardiologists and surgeons), hospitals, and other health care providers.

With a managed care plan, you typically have less out-of-pocket costs and paperwork.
Indemnity plans once dominated the American health insurance market, but are no longer as popular as they used to be. Managed care plans now take up a much larger share of the general health insurance market and are especially dominant in the western parts of the country. There are three basic types of managed care plans: PPOs, HMOs, and POS plans.

Here are the steps for selecting and applying for a group health insurance plan:

1. Tell us about your company and employees on eHealthInsurance.com.
2. We provide you with health insurance quotes for leading companies in your area.
3. You then compare plan rates and benefits to find the plan that best meets your needs.
4. You'll be able to speak with a licensed agent for personal help selecting a plan and starting the application process.

Businesses with fewer than 50 full-time-equivalent employees aren't required to provide health insurance to their employees and won't face tax penalties for not doing so.

But that doesn't mean small businesses should not, or will not, provide health insurance for employees. Many wise employers offer health insurance because it's better for their workforce. Health benefits allow them to recruit and retain talented employees who expect to get health insurance with a job. And, when employees have access to health care, they're more likely to take part in preventative care procedures, which reduces illnesses, reduces absenteeism, and increases productivity.

In addition, small business employers may receive tax credits when they provide coverage, as follows:

• Employers with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees with average annual wages of less than $50,000, may be eligible for a special tax credit of up to 50% of the amount the employer contributes (at least 50%)toward employee insurance premiums.

Whether you offer health insurance to employees or not, you should make your employees aware of their obligation to seek health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. You also have to let your employees know that they have access to guaranteed coverage in the individual market and that they may be eligible for government subsidies if the coverage you provide them is not deemed to be affordable under the law.

Group health insurance requires at least one full-time employee other than you (i.e., the owner) and your spouse. If it's just you, let's find you low rates on individual and family plans.