As a small business owner in Montana, you're likely looking for affordable health insurance options for your employees. Montana's health insurance marketplace offers a range of plans to suit different budgets and needs.
Many small businesses in Montana can qualify for tax credits to help offset the cost of health insurance. In fact, businesses with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees may be eligible for these credits.
The Montana Health Insurance Marketplace offers four levels of coverage: bronze, silver, gold, and catastrophic. The bronze plan is the most affordable option, but it also has the highest deductible.
Small businesses in Montana can also consider a private health insurance exchange, which allows employees to choose from a variety of plans. This can be a great option for businesses with a diverse workforce.
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Types of Plans
There are several types of small business health insurance plans available in Montana, each with its own unique features and benefits.
PPO Health Insurance Plans are a popular option, offering flexibility and freedom to see any doctor or hospital, in or out of network.
HMO Health Insurance Plans are another common choice, providing lower premiums in exchange for a smaller network of providers.
HSA-Qualified Health Insurance Plans allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses, providing a tax advantage and greater control over your healthcare costs.
Indemnity Health Insurance Plans offer a more traditional approach, reimbursing you for medical expenses after you've paid the bill.
Here are the four types of small business health insurance plans in Montana, summarized in a list:
- PPO Health Insurance Plans
- HMO Health Insurance Plans
- HSA-Qualified Health Insurance Plans
- Indemnity Health Insurance Plans
The best plan for you and your employees will depend on your individual needs and budget.
Insurance Options
If you're a small business owner in Montana, you have several insurance options to consider. You might not need to work full time with one employer to qualify for health insurance benefits, as companies like Starbucks, Costco, Staples, and Lowes offer health insurance for part-time workers.
You can also ask your HR department or supervisor if your current employer offers a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) or an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) to get a reimbursement for your own health insurance plan.
When evaluating your small business health insurance options, you should immediately compare the costs and benefits of three main options: Offering Traditional Small Business Health Insurance Coverage,Offering a Defined Contribution Health Plan that Reimburses Employees for Individual Health Insurance Coverage, andOffering Nothing
Blue Preferred PPO
Blue Preferred PPO plans offer a broad, statewide network of providers, giving you plenty of options for medical care.
You're not required to select a Primary Care Physician (PCP) to use this plan, which means you have the freedom to choose any doctor or hospital you like.
Specialists don't require a referral, making it easy to get the care you need.
If you see an out-of-network provider, your plan will still cover some of the costs, but you'll pay a higher rate than if you saw an in-network provider.
The BlueCard program is also available, which can provide coverage when you're traveling or need care outside of your home state.
Here are the key benefits of Blue Preferred PPO plans at a glance:
- Broad, statewide network
- No PCP selection required
- No specialist referral required
- Some out-of-network coverage
- BlueCard access
HMO
HMO plans offer a wide range of health care services through a network of providers. This network is exclusive to the HMO, meaning employees will typically need to see providers within the network.
Employees participating in HMO plans will need to select a primary care physician, or PCP, to provide most of their health care. This PCP will refer them to HMO specialists as needed.
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Insurance Options
You have three core options to consider when evaluating your small business health insurance coverage: offering traditional small business health insurance, a "pure" defined contribution health plan, or offering nothing. Each of these options has its pros and cons.
If you choose to offer traditional small business health insurance, you'll need to consider the costs and benefits of this option. Traditional small business health insurance plans allow employees to visit any doctor or hospital, but may require them to pay for some services upfront and then apply for reimbursement.
Indemnity health insurance plans are another option to consider. These plans allow employees to direct their own healthcare and visit any doctor or hospital. However, costs for individual coverage can vary, and there are no rate caps.
Here are some key facts about indemnity health insurance plans:
- COBRA: Coverage available for 18-36 months depending on qualifying events. Benefits are what you had with your previous employer. Pre-existing health conditions covered.
- Individual Plans: Costs for Individual coverage vary. There are no rate caps.
- COBRA: Costs vary between 102% to 150% of group health rates.
In Montana, small business health insurance plans are available, and your business may qualify for tax credits on coverage if it has fewer than 25 employees and pays less than $50,000 per year average wage per employee.
3 Core Options
When evaluating your small business health insurance options, you should immediately compare the costs and benefits of the following three options.
Offering Traditional Small Business Health Insurance Coverage is one of the options. This type of coverage is a traditional group plan that provides comprehensive benefits to employees.
Offering a Defined Contribution Health Plan that Reimburses Employees for Individual Health Insurance Coverage is another option. This plan provides a set amount of money to employees to purchase individual health insurance coverage.
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Offering Nothing is the third option. This means that the business doesn't provide any health insurance coverage to employees, who may then need to purchase individual coverage on their own.
Here are the three options in a concise list:
- Offering Traditional Small Business Health Insurance Coverage
- Offering a Defined Contribution Health Plan that Reimburses Employees for Individual Health Insurance Coverage
- Offering Nothing
Requirements
You'll want to make sure your business is covered with the right insurance policies. All businesses, with a few exceptions, must carry workers' compensation in Montana.
To protect your business's physical buildings and inventory, you'll need commercial property coverage. This is crucial if you have a business with a physical presence.
Commercial auto insurance is also a must-have if your business has company vehicles. This will help protect you in case of accidents or other incidents involving your business vehicles.
Business income insurance is another critical coverage to consider. It can help maintain employee payroll and continued revenue during covered closures, such as natural disasters or other unexpected events.
Affordability and Cost
The cost of business insurance in Montana can vary greatly depending on several factors, including your business's industry, size, coverage needs, exact location, and claims history.
To get a better understanding of your business insurance costs, you'll need to consider these factors and how they impact your premium.
If you're looking for small business health insurance options in Montana, you have three main choices to consider: offering traditional small business health insurance coverage, offering a defined contribution health plan, or offering nothing.
Here are the three options in a concise list:
- Offering Traditional Small Business Health Insurance Coverage
- Offering a Defined Contribution Health Plan that Reimburses Employees for Individual Health Insurance Coverage
- Offering Nothing
Affordable Options
If you're looking for affordable health insurance options, consider your employer-sponsored insurance. Many companies, such as Starbucks, Costco, Staples, and Lowe's, offer health insurance benefits to part-time workers.
You might be surprised to learn that you don't need to work full-time to qualify for health insurance benefits. These companies offer health insurance for part-time workers, which can be a great option for those who need coverage.
Some employers may offer a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) or an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA), which can provide reimbursement for health insurance plans through the marketplace or another provider.
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Medicare won't cover certain expenses, such as deductibles, dental care, routine physicals, eye exams, hearing aids, or long-term care. This is why it's essential to review your coverage and consider additional options, like a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage.
If you're a small business owner in Montana, you should compare the costs and benefits of three core options: offering traditional small business health insurance coverage, a defined contribution health plan, or offering nothing.
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Cost
The cost of business insurance in Montana can vary greatly depending on several factors. Business insurance policies in Montana can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year.
If you have a small business in Montana, you can expect to pay around $500 to $2,000 per year for a basic policy. However, if you're in an industry with higher risks, such as construction or manufacturing, your premiums could be significantly higher.
The cost of your business insurance policy also depends on your business's location within Montana. For example, if you're in a high-risk area like a flood zone, you may pay more for coverage than a business in a safer area.
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Your business's size and coverage needs also play a big role in determining your insurance costs. If you have a large business with many employees and assets, you'll likely need more comprehensive coverage, which can increase your premiums.
Claims history is another important factor in determining your business insurance costs. If your business has a history of claims, your premiums may be higher to reflect the increased risk.
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Benefits and Services
Small business health insurance in Montana can be a complex and overwhelming topic, but don't worry, we've got you covered.
In Montana, small businesses can choose from a variety of health insurance plans, including those offered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and private insurance companies.
Many small businesses in Montana qualify for tax credits to help offset the cost of health insurance, which can be a huge relief for business owners.
Some Montana insurance companies offer group health insurance plans that can be customized to fit the specific needs of a small business.
The Montana Department of Insurance provides resources and guidance to help small businesses navigate the health insurance market and make informed decisions.
By offering health insurance to employees, small businesses in Montana can attract and retain top talent, which can lead to increased productivity and competitiveness.
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Group Insurance
Group insurance plans are a form of employer-sponsored health coverage, where costs are typically shared between the employer and the employee, and coverage may also be extended to dependents.
In certain states, self-employed persons without other employees may qualify for group health insurance plans. HIPAA benefits are based on the program selected and do not expire, covering pre-existing health conditions.
Group health insurance plans typically offer premium assistance that pays employer-sponsored health insurance or Cobra premium, available with pre-existing health conditions covered. To qualify for this, you must have had 18 months of continuous coverage and completely exhausted Cobra or state continuation coverage, not due to fraud or non-payment of premiums.
Here are some key details about group health insurance plans:
Group
Group health insurance plans are a form of employer-sponsored health coverage. Costs are typically shared between the employer and the employee, and coverage may also be extended to dependents.
HIPAA regulations apply to group health insurance plans, which means that benefits are based on the program selected and there is no expiration of coverage. Pre-existing health conditions are covered.
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In certain states, self-employed persons without other employees may qualify for group health insurance plans. This is an option worth exploring, especially for those who want to offer health insurance to themselves and their dependents.
Group health insurance plans can be administered through a level funded small group option, which includes consistent monthly payments for employers and defines liability risk through stop-loss contracts.
Here are some key facts about group health insurance plans:
- HIPAA: Benefits are based on program selected. There is no expiration of coverage. Pre-existing health conditions covered.
- HIPAA: Premium assistance that pays employer-sponsored health insurance or Cobra premium available. Pre existing health conditions covered.
- HIPAA: Must have had 18 months of continuous coverage and completely exhausted Cobra or state continuation coverage. Must not have lost coverage due to fraud or non-payment of premiums. You have 63 days to enroll.
Employers have three core options to consider when evaluating small business health insurance options: offering traditional small business health insurance coverage, offering a defined contribution health plan, or offering nothing.
Obtaining a Certificate
Your insurance company should be able to provide you with a certificate of insurance for your business. This is a straightforward process that can be completed with a simple request.
To get a certificate of insurance for your Montana business, you'll need to contact your insurance company. They will provide you with the necessary documentation.
You can also ask your Montana independent insurance agent to help you obtain this certificate if needed.
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Resources
Montana has specific rules for group health insurance plans, which are beneficial for small businesses. Group plans have a maximum 6-month look-back period for pre-existing conditions on enrollees without prior coverage.
Guaranteed coverage is available for companies with 2-50 employees. Eligible employees must work at least 30 hours a week. The owner can count as an employee, but their name must be on the business license and they must draw wages from the company.
The cost of group plans depends on the employer contribution and the +20% of the insurance company's Index rate. HIPAA reimburses the full employer-sponsored insurance premium amount by check monthly, and pays the insurance company directly for people on COBRA or eligible small businesses.
Here's a breakdown of the average premium contributions for employer-based health insurance in Montana:
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Tax and Financial
Small businesses in Montana can qualify for a tax credit for offering employee health benefits. This tax credit is worth up to 50% of a small business's health insurance costs.
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To be eligible, a small business must have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. The tax credit is broken into two phases, with Phase 1 offering up to 35% of health insurance costs from 2010 to 2013, and Phase 2 offering up to 50% from 2014 and beyond.
Employers with 50 or more full-time equivalents who don't offer minimum essential coverage can face monthly penalties if an employee uses a premium tax credit to obtain health insurance through the state health exchange.
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HSA-Qualified
HSA-Qualified plans are typically PPO plans designed specifically for use with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
These plans are meant to help people save money for medical expenses in the future, and they allow participants to save money pre-tax.
Section 105 Healthcare Reimbursement Plans (HRPs) are often used in place of HSAs, and they offer advantages for employers.
HSA-qualified plans are designed to work with Health Savings Accounts, which are special bank accounts for medical expenses.
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Tax Credits
Small businesses with up to 25 full-time equivalent employees may qualify for a tax credit for offering employee health benefits.
The tax credit is broken into two phases. Phase 1 includes a tax credit worth up to 35% of a small business's health insurance costs.
The tax credit is available from 2010 to 2013. Phase 2 includes a tax credit up to 50% of a small business's health insurance costs.
These tax credits can help small businesses offset the cost of providing health insurance to their employees.
Tax Penalties
If you have 50 or more full-time equivalents, you're subject to tax penalties if you don't offer minimum essential coverage.
Starting January 1, 2015, employers with 50 or more full-time equivalents who don't offer affordable, minimum essential coverage can face monthly penalties.
If at least one employee uses a premium tax credit to obtain health insurance through the state health exchange, you'll be subject to these penalties.
You're not subject to these penalties if you have fewer than 50 full-time equivalents or FTE employees.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a small business write off health insurance?
Yes, a small business can write off health insurance premiums as a business expense, but only up to the amount of earned income from the business. This deduction can also include premiums paid for employees, which are considered employee benefit program expenses.
Sources
- https://www.bcbsmt.com/producer/our-products/group-products/small-group
- https://chphealthmt.org/news/affordable-health-insurance-montana
- https://www.peoplekeep.com/resources/small-business-health-insurance-in-montana
- https://www.trustedchoice.com/l/montana/business-insurance/
- https://www.peoplekeep.com/education/small-business-health-insurance-information
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