As a small business owner with one employee, finding the right health insurance options can be a daunting task. Many small businesses, like yours, have limited budgets to allocate towards employee benefits.
With a small team, you may be able to take advantage of group health insurance plans that are more affordable than individual plans. According to the Affordable Care Act, small businesses with one to 49 employees are eligible for group health insurance plans.
This means you can offer your employee a comprehensive health insurance plan, often with lower premiums than individual plans. By doing so, you can attract and retain top talent in your industry.
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Choosing a Plan
Choosing a plan can be a daunting task, especially for small businesses with only one employee. You need to consider your employee's healthcare needs and your budget.
Assessing your employee's needs is crucial, so think about their age, health conditions, and whether they prefer lower premiums or lower out-of-pocket costs. This will help you determine the type of plan that suits them best.
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When comparing plan types, explore HMOs, PPOs, and HDHPs with HSAs. Each has its own advantages and limitations in terms of cost, coverage, and provider networks. For example, HMOs often have a narrower network of providers, while PPOs offer more flexibility in choosing doctors and hospitals.
Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a plan:
Ultimately, involve your employee in the decision-making process to ensure you choose a plan that meets their needs.
Fully Insured
Choosing a fully insured plan can provide peace of mind and simplify budgeting for your business's health insurance needs. With a fully insured plan, you pay a premium and the insurance company covers the rest of the expenses.
Florida Blue offers a fully-funded option where they assume responsibility for all covered health care expenses, limiting the financial risk for your business. This option can be a great choice for businesses that want to minimize their financial exposure.
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You can shop for coverage at any time of the year, and with at least one employee, you qualify for a small business health insurance plan. This type of plan is generally more affordable than buying coverage individually.
Here are the key benefits of a fully insured plan:
- Florida Blue assumes responsibility for all covered health care expenses.
- The financial risk for your business is limited.
- Budgeting for benefits is simplified.
Working with a Broker?
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.
You'll have access to world-class customer service, which is a big plus if you're not tech-savvy or need extra support.
eHealth is a platinum agent with many top health insurance companies, so you can trust they have the expertise to guide you through the process.
Dedicated account managers will work with you to find the best plan for your needs.
Rates are regulated and don't vary by broker, so you won't be charged any extra fees for using eHealth's services.
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Plan Details
If you're a small business owner with one employee, you're likely looking for a health insurance plan that meets your needs and budget. You can choose from different types of plans, including HMOs, PPOs, and POS plans. HMOs require you to select an in-network Primary Care Physician (PCP) and get referrals to see specialists.
With an HMO plan, out-of-pocket costs are predictable and often limited to low annual deductibles and copayments for doctor visits and other covered services. You can expect to pay a small portion of the cost of covered services when you stay in the HMO network.
PPO plans offer more flexibility, allowing you to choose any doctor or hospital, in or out of network. However, costs may increase for out-of-network care. You'll need to pay annual deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for covered services.
POS plans allow you to choose to use the plan's provider network for some services and go outside the network for other services. You'll usually need to select an in-network PCP, but you won't need a referral to see a specialist.
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Here's a comparison of the three types of plans:
It's worth noting that eHealth offers over 1,300 group health insurance plans from 70+ carriers throughout the United States. Their licensed agents can help you shop and compare products to find the best plan for your business.
Alternative Options
If you're a small business owner with one employee, you're not limited to just one health insurance option. Flexible funding options are available to help you design a benefits plan that's right for your business.
You can consider multiple funding options, such as minimizing risk or maximizing savings, and a Florida Blue Sales Consultant can help you find the perfect funding fit.
Other options for small businesses include providing financial assistance to employees to purchase health insurance coverage on Georgia Access. There are two other options available.
To compare small business health insurance options, consider the 5 criteria recommended by eHealth: monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, medical provider networks, prescription drug coverage, and coverage add-ons.
Here are the 5 criteria in a concise table:
Association Health Plans (AHPs) are another option, which allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together to purchase health insurance. By pooling together, you can leverage greater buying power and potentially reduce insurance costs.
AHPs offer benefits such as cost reduction, expanded coverage options, and flexibility in plan design and coverage options. However, they also have potential drawbacks, including varied regulations, risk pooling, and limited scope for some industries.
Lastly, you can consider a self-funded plan, where you only pay administrative costs to Florida Blue and manage the rest of the plan, including benefits design and claims cost. This option can give you more flexibility and help you save.
Plan Comparison and Enrollment
As a small business owner with one employee, you have a few options when it comes to health insurance enrollment. Enrollment is the process of getting your employee and their dependents signed up for your new health plan, and an eHealth agent can walk you through the process once you've selected a plan.
You'll need to answer all questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge during enrollment, but don't worry, no employee will be declined coverage based on medical history. This ensures that everyone is protected and can receive the care they need.
To compare types of small business health insurance plans, consider the following options:
- HMOs: Members select an in-network Primary Care Physician (PCP), referrals are often required to see a specialist, and out-of-pocket costs are predictable.
- PPOs: Members don't have to choose a PCP, don't need a referral to see a specialist, and can choose any doctor or hospital regardless of network status.
- POS plans: Members usually need to select an in-network PCP, can choose to use the plan's provider network for some services and go outside the network for others.
Group Enrollment
Group enrollment is a great option for small businesses, even if you only have one employee. Enrolling in group health insurance with just one employee is possible and can be a strategic decision for small business owners.
Group health insurance plans for small businesses often come with benefits like lower premiums compared to individual plans, broader coverage options, and tax advantages. This can be a key factor in attracting and retaining talented employees.
To get started, you can explore options like Association Health Plans (AHPs), which allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together to purchase health insurance. AHPs can offer cost reduction, expanded coverage options, and flexibility in plan design and coverage options.
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Here are some key benefits of AHPs:
- Cost Reduction: By pooling together, small businesses and individuals can leverage greater buying power, often resulting in reduced insurance costs.
- Expanded Coverage Options: AHPs can offer a broader range of coverage options, which might not be as accessible or affordable to small businesses on their own.
- Flexibility: These plans can provide more flexibility in terms of plan design and coverage options, catering to the specific needs of the members.
If you're looking for a more traditional group health insurance plan, you can also consider eHealth, which offers over 1,300 group health insurance plans from 70+ carriers throughout the United States.
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Enrollment Process
Enrollment is the process of getting your employees and their dependents signed up for your new health plan. An eHealth agent can walk you through this process.
During enrollment, it's essential to answer all questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge. This is because premiums may differ based on the medical history of certain individuals.
No employee will be declined coverage, so you can rest assured that everyone will be able to access the health plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a single member LLC write off health insurance?
Yes, a single member LLC can deduct health insurance premiums from their taxes, just like self-employed individuals
How much does health insurance cost a business per employee?
Health insurance premiums for businesses have increased significantly over the years, with average costs per employee rising from $4,940 in 2010 to $7,590 in 2022 for single coverage
Can an employer pay for health insurance for one employee and not another?
Employers are free to offer health insurance to select groups of employees, but not necessarily to all. This means they can choose to cover one employee and not another, as long as it's not based on discriminatory factors
How do small businesses get insurance for their employees?
Small businesses can offer group health insurance to employees through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) or by purchasing a plan from a private insurance company. Business owners can choose to offer one plan or multiple options for their employees to select from.
Sources
- https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/resources/small-business/can-small-businesses-one-employee-get-group-health-insurance-coverage
- https://www.floridablue.com/employer/small-business
- https://georgiaaccess.gov/learn-more/options-for-small-businesses/
- https://www.wahbexchange.org/resources/health-coverage-basics/covering-your-small-business/
- https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/small-business-health-insurance
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