Oregon offers a range of small business group health insurance options, including the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace.
You can choose from various types of plans, including HMO, PPO, and EPO.
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace provides access to financial assistance, which can help reduce the cost of premiums.
Some small business owners may be eligible for tax credits to help offset the cost of providing health insurance to their employees.
Types of Plans
Small businesses in Oregon have access to a range of health plan solutions, backed by expert business support. Health Net Small Business Group health plans are underwritten by Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, Inc.
For smaller workforces with 25-99 employees, Health Net offers plans that prioritize both physical and emotional well-being. These plans are designed to help employees stay healthy and productive.
Health Net's plans in Oregon include unique wellness services like Decision Power Health and Wellness tools. This proactive approach to healthcare can help employees make informed decisions about their health.
Insurance Options
When selecting a group health insurance plan for your Oregon-based small business, it's essential to consider your budget. You can choose from a wide range of deductible options.
Cigna Healthcare offers high-deductible plans as one of the options for affordability.
Benefits and Coverage
In Oregon, small business owners have various options for offering health benefits to their employees. The cost of group health coverage can be substantial, with prices dependent on the age of the employee, ranging from $20,918 per worker and family in 2021.
On average, Oregon employees contribute $5,943 to their health coverage costs. This highlights the importance of considering alternative options to reduce costs.
Businesses can explore options like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Plans (HRAs), Direct Primary Care (DPC) memberships, and Health Sharing Programs to reduce their costs.
Here are some alternative options to traditional insurance plans:
- Health Savings accounts (HSAs)
- Health reimbursement plans (HRAs)
- Direct primary care (DPC memberships)
- Health sharing programs
These options can provide affordable solutions for employees at each level of the Care Pyramid, ensuring they don't have to postpone or skip care due to high costs.
Benefits
Oregon small businesses have various options to offer health benefits to their employees. Prices for group health coverage can be as high as $20,918 per worker and family, with employees contributing an average of $5,943 to their health coverage costs.
The cost of health benefits can be reduced by using options like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Plans (HRAs), Direct Primary Care (DPC) memberships, and Health Sharing Programs.
The best strategy for small businesses is determined by factors such as budget, business size, employee age, and medical needs.
Here are some alternative care options that can be added to a benefits package:
- Chiropractic Care: helps improve health by easing pain and boosting blood flow
- Acupuncture: encourages the body to heal naturally and function better
- Naturopathic Care: focuses on supporting the body's own healing abilities and promoting health through lifestyle choices
- Therapeutic Massage: helps release tense muscles, ease pain, and boost range of motion
To participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA), employees must enroll in a qualified high-deductible health care plan with a minimum $1,500 individual deductible or $3,000 family deductible.
Virtual care options are available, including urgent care, primary care, behavioral and physical therapy, through telehealth services.
Pre-existing Conditions
Health sharing plans might impose a waiting period for treating preexisting conditions, which reduces adverse selection and allows for cost savings.
These waiting periods are often longer for surgeries, but accidents and injuries are typically covered immediately.
Under the Affordable Health Care Act, health sharing plans are not eligible for subsidies, making the cost savings even more substantial.
Oregon employers can benefit from health sharing even more, as small group insurance plans are not eligible for a tax credit under ACA.
Tax and Cost Considerations
As a small business owner in Oregon, you're likely curious about the tax implications of offering health insurance to your employees. Fortunately, you can deduct all of your health insurance premiums as a legitimate business expense, both at the federal and state levels.
This means you won't have to worry about paying taxes on premiums paid by employers. However, healthsharing plans offer lower overall costs, and premiums paid by employees are tax-deductible, but employer assistance in paying health sharing expenses is taxable.
Traditional health insurance premiums are tax-deductible for employers and non-taxable for employees. HSA contributions are also tax-deductible for employers and pre-tax for employees, up to certain limits.
Here's a breakdown of the tax implications for different plan types:
Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees and average salaries around $53,000 may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 50% of health insurance costs. However, this credit is eliminated when employers reach 25 employees or the average wage is at least $53,000.
Oregon-Specific Information
Oregon has a unique insurance market that affects small business group health insurance.
The state's insurance market is regulated by the Oregon Insurance Division, which sets rules and requirements for health insurance plans.
As of 2022, the average cost of a small business group health insurance plan in Oregon is around $550 per employee per month.
Oregon requires employers with 2-50 employees to offer health insurance or pay a penalty.
Many small businesses in Oregon opt for a group plan with a maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) of $7,500 for individual plans and $15,000 for family plans.
Oregon's insurance market is subject to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires certain health insurance plans to cover essential health benefits.
In Oregon, small businesses can choose from a range of plan types, including HMO, PPO, and EPO plans.
ICHRA and HRA
In Oregon, small businesses have options for providing health insurance to their employees. ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement) and QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement) are two alternatives to traditional group health insurance.
ICHRA allows employers to offer a range of benefits to their employees, including health insurance, and provides flexibility in costs. Employers can decide on what to contribute per employee class and their employees choose a plan that fits their needs.
ICHRA is a simple and straightforward process to implement, and its design allows employees to choose the plan and benefits that best meet their unique needs. From an administration perspective, ICHRA's method is easy to manage.
QSEHRA, on the other hand, is a type of HRA that can be used by small businesses in Oregon. QSEHRAs can provide tax-free treatment to both employers and employees, and employers have the freedom to determine their own budget and alter it annually based on cash flow.
Here are some key differences between ICHRA and QSEHRA:
Both ICHRA and QSEHRA offer employees the freedom to choose their own health insurance plan, which can be a major advantage for small businesses in Oregon. By offering these alternatives, employers can attract and retain top talent while also providing their employees with the flexibility and autonomy they need to make informed healthcare decisions.
Plan Management and Compliance
As a small business owner in Oregon, you're likely aware of the importance of offering a group health insurance plan to your employees. ICHRA, or Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement, can be a great option for meeting your compliance requirements.
ICHRA can meet all of the Employer Mandate requirements imposed by the Affordable Care Act, as long as some basic affordability requirements are met.
By offering an ICHRA, you can satisfy the requirements of the ACA, regardless of whether any employees enroll in it. This can be a huge relief for small business owners who may not have the resources to navigate the complexities of the ACA.
Simply put, offering an Affordable ICHRA can be a cost-effective way to ensure ACA compliance, and we're here to help you make it happen.
Resources for Employees
As a small business owner in Oregon, you want to ensure your employees have access to the resources they need to make informed decisions about their health insurance. Ideal for new enrollees and employees looking for general information on how health plans work, the resources you share with them can make a big difference.
You can start by sharing information about the different types of health plans available, such as HMOs and PPOs. This will help them understand their options and make choices that are right for them.
Plan Features and Options
Small business group health insurance in Oregon offers a range of affordable health plan solutions for employers with 2-50 employees. Health Net Small Business Group health plans in Oregon are underwritten by Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, Inc.
You can choose from a variety of health plans that cater to smaller workforces with 25-99 employees. These plans take care of not just physical health but also emotional well-being.
Select from a wide range of deductible, copay, and coinsurance options, including high-deductible plans.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
Let's take a closer look at the PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan feature.
You'll have access to an expansive network of providers, which means you can choose from a wide range of medical services.
No referrals are required for in-network specialist visits, making it easier to get the care you need.
Here are some key benefits of the PPO plan:
- No referrals required for in-network specialists
- Freedom to choose in-network or out-of-network providers
- Large network
- Wide range of covered services
- No claims to file when you visit an in-network provider
The large network of providers means you can choose from many different options for your medical care.
Sharing Plans
Health sharing plans are a cost-effective alternative to traditional group insurance plans. In Oregon, companies can save up to 50% on their existing group health plans by switching to health sharing plans.
Oregon small businesses can potentially save over $10,000 per year per employee with family coverage. For single coverage, they can save more than $3,500 per year per employee.
Health sharing programs operate on the principle of sharing resources across a group. This allows participants to pay a set amount per year in lieu of traditional health insurance.
Combining health care packages can also help employers control healthcare costs without compromising coverage. Consider pairing Direct Primary Care plans with low-cost health-sharing plans to cover catastrophic occurrences.
Some health sharing plans may not be suitable for employees with pre-existing conditions. It's essential to research and choose the right plan for your company and workforce.
For smaller workforces with 25-99 employees, health plans that take care of both physical and emotional well-being are crucial. These plans can help manage a busy company and keep employees healthy and productive.
Why Choose Cigna
Cigna offers a wide range of deductible, copay, and coinsurance options, including high-deductible plans, to help you tailor your coverage to your needs.
You can choose a plan that fits your budget and provides the level of protection you want.
Cigna Healthcare understands that small businesses have unique needs, and they've designed health plans specifically with them in mind.
These plans offer fully connected medical, pharmacy, and behavioral health benefits that can help inspire healthy outcomes for your organization.
HRA Advantages
With a QSEHRA, you have the freedom to determine your own budget and alter it annually based on cash flow.
The money you spend on HRAs for your employees can be deducted from your taxes and is tax-free for them.
You can use the HRA money as working capital until it's paid out to employees.
The HRA benefit can be designed by employers in a way that suits their needs, including what expenses they are willing to cover.
A QSEHRA offers a more attractive alternative to a simple health insurance stipend, as employees can use it for purchasing health insurance or other expenses.
With a QSEHRA, employees can control and own their insurance policy, not the employer.
This means the workers' health insurance is not affected if they change their status to contractors or leave the company.
Sources
- https://www.healthnetoregon.com/brokers/plan-information/business-group-plans/small-group-plans.html
- https://hsaforamerica.com/oregon-small-business-health-insurance/
- https://www.cigna.com/employers/small-business/
- https://ibgportland.com/health-insurance/health-coverage-for-oregon-small-business-owners-and-entrepreneurs/
- https://ichra.com/individual-coverage-hra-defined-oregon/
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