Small Business

Small Business Health Insurance

Enter your ZIP code to find group health insurance options for your employees.

Our Benefits

Small Business Insurance Made Easy with Policywizzard

Shopping for health insurance plans for your small business couldn't be more simple. eHealth has a curated selection of affordable group health insurance plans from trusted carriers. Our licensed agents can provide personalized recommendations and walk you through the application and enrollment process with no pressure or expectations to enroll.

We’re your advocate

If you ever need help dealing with the health insurance company regarding claims, billing or need any assistance, we’ll be there for you.

We have the best prices

Prices are fixed by law. We will have the best prices on any health plan we sell.

We’re unbiased

We will empower you with decision making tools so that you decide what health plan is best for you.

How It Works

Small Business Health Insurance Basics

How does small business health insurance work?

Getting coverage through a small business health insurance plan can be more affordable than buying coverage by yourself. Here's what you need to know:

  • Coverage is generally guaranteed issue.
  • You need at least one employee to qualify.
  • You must contribute toward employee premiums.
  • And you can shop for coverage at any time of the year.

How much does small business health insurance cost?

An average eHealth small business plan covers 5 people and costs $1432 per month in premiums - or $286 per person.

Does my business qualify for a health insurance tax credit?

You may qualify for a tax credit that could cover some of the costs you pay for employees' premiums. This credit reimburses qualifying small businesses for up to 50% of the premiums paid toward health, dental, and vision insurance. eHealth can help you obtain your tax credit and find a small business health insurance plan that works best for you and your employees. In order to qualify:

  • The average annual wage per worker must be less than $50,000.
  • Your business needs to have 25 full-time employees or less.
  • You need to contribute a minimum of 50% toward employee health coverage.

Can Policywizzard help with health reimbursement arrangements?

Yes! Policywizzard can guide you through the process of setting up a Individual Contribution Health Reimbursement Arrangement, also known as ICHRA. These flexible cost options offer many advantages over traditional group plans:

  • Remote employees can pick plans in their area, even if it’s a different location than their employer.
  • There are no minimum participation requirements. Employees can waive coverage if they wish.
  • Employees can enroll outside of the federal open enrollment period.
  • All employees can participate, even part-time and seasonal workers.
  • Gives employers freedom to control costs and there are no limits to how much an employer can reimburse.
  • More options means employees can choose plans and doctors that work for them.
  • Employees can keep them if they change jobs, the only change would be the employer reimbursement.

 

To learn more about your options, call 1-844-627-8582, or click here to get a quote.

Compare Types of Small Business Health Insurance Plans

Learn about different types of health insurance coverage options to find the plan that’s best for you and your employees. Common types of health insurance plans include:

  • 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

How to choose the right small business health insurance plan

Assess your needs

First, determine what your small business needs in a health insurance plan. Consider the following:

  • Who will be covered? Consider the needs of your employees and their dependents to find a plan that will suit the diverse medical and financial needs of the group.
  • How much cost sharing can you afford? Premiums for small business health insurance are paid by the employees and the employer. Make sure consider how much cost sharing makes sense for your business.
  • What kinds of benefits are important for you and your employees? While federal privacy laws prohibit employers from inquiring about employees’ medical history, it’s important to ask your employees which types of benefits are important to them.

 

Compare small business health insurance options

There are a lot of factors to consider when weighing your small business health insurance options. At eHealth, we recommend using the following 5 criteria to find plans that best match your needs:

  • Monthly premiums: Know what you and your employees will be able to pay on a monthly basis.
  • Deductibles, copayments and coinsurance: Ensure these types of payments will be manageable for you and your employees when you receive medical care.
  • Medical provider networks: If you already have a preferred doctor or facility, make sure they’ll be included in your new coverage.
  • Prescription drug coverage: Use the Policywizzard prescription drug comparison tool to see which plans cover the costs of certain prescriptions.
  • Coverage add-ons: With Policywizzard, you can add things like vision and dental care to ensure your employees are fully covered.

 

Small business health insurance enrollment process

  • Enrollment is the process of getting your employees and their dependents signed up for your new health plan. Once you’ve selected a plan, an eHealth agent can walk you through the enrollment process.
  • During enrollment, be sure to answer all questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge. Though premiums may differ based on the medical history of certain individuals, no employee will be declined coverage.

Testimonial

What people are saying

Policywizzard makes it easy for small business owners to find the perfect plan at the lowest available cost

testimonail_image_1
Sonam Srivastava Research Wright

I heard about Plum through a LinkedIn post and rest as they say is history. I Goenka and I must tell you, he and the extended teams been breeze to work with. They ensured that thebest optimal medical coverage options.

testimonail_image_2
Sonam Srivastava Research Wright

I heard about Plum through a LinkedIn post and rest as they say is history. I Goenka and I must tell you, he and the extended teams been breeze to work with. They ensured that thebest optimal medical coverage options.

testimonail_image_3
Sonam Srivastava Research Wright

I heard about Plum through a LinkedIn post and rest as they say is history. I Goenka and I must tell you, he and the extended teams been breeze to work with. They ensured that thebest optimal medical coverage options.

    Our FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    faq_image

    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 Policywizzard, another health insurance agent, or directly with the insurance company.

    An average Policywizzard 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.

    Group health insurance plans don't include coverage for dental and vision, but these are often available as benefit riders that can be added to your group health insurance plan for additional fees. Once you select a group health insurance plan, you'll have the opportunity to view the additional insurance plans or riders that are available in your area.

    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.

    Policywizzard 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.

    An ICHRA plan can enable a company to focus on their business rather than navigating the complexities of group health plans. Monthly reimbursements provided by the employers don’t count as taxable income. In most cases, ICHRA increases employee options for health coverage by allowing them to shop for plans in the individual market and select coverage that best suits them.

    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.